DEFENCE

Merlin Helicopters

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Merlin helicopters will be delivered to the Royal Navy in each of the next three years;
	(2)  how many pilots have been trained to fly the Merlin helicopter;
	(3)  when Merlin helicopters will be deployed on an operational basis with the Royal Navy;
	(4)  what the Royal Navy's inventory of Merlin helicopters is; and how many are operational.

Adam Ingram: On current plans, the first squadron of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters will be fully operational and ready for deployment in May 2002 with further squadrons progressively achieving this status up to 2005.
	A total of 44 Merlin HM Mark 1 helicopters has been ordered for the Royal Navy. Of the 34 aircraft already delivered, 14 are in the operational fleet. The remaining 10 aircraft are due to be delivered by the end of financial year 2002–03.
	To date 31 Royal Naval pilots and eight RAF pilots have been trained to fly the Merlin helicopter, with a further five Royal Naval and two RAF pilots currently undergoing training.

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency for 2001–02.

Adam Ingram: Key targets have been set for the chief executive of DARA for financial year 2001–02. The targets reflect the agency's move to trading fund status and are as follows:
	
		DARA key targets for FY 2001–02
		
			 Title Details Target 
		
		
			 KT 1—Quality The Quality of Service of the DARA To have no more attributable Customer Concerns (recorded on F760/761) than the baseline set on the average performance of FY 99–00 and FY 00–01 as a percentage of quantity. 
			
			 KT 2—Financial A measure of the Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) To achieve a 6 per cent. Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) 
			
			 KT 3—Efficiency 1 A measure of the reduction in Unit Production Price To achieve at least an annual 2 per cent. reduction (with a target of at least a 15 per cent. reduction over five years) in unit production prices of a basket of products deemed to be representative of DARA business, baselined from the commencement of Trading Fund (1 April 2001) 
			
			 KT 4—Efficiency 2 Increase in Order Intake (Non-Allocated Work) To achieve a 100 per cent. increase in Order Intake (for the first three years of trading) from a FY 00–01 baseline 
			
			 KT 5—Efficiency 3 Increase in Commercial Revenue To achieve a 15 per cent. increase in Commercial Revenue (from non-UK Armed Forces), from a FY 00–01 baseline

Serco

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts being administered by Serco on behalf of his Department.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The following contracts are being administered by Serco Ltd. on behalf of this Department.
	SATC2/031
	ICSS/1042
	DE32/7113
	CB/STC5/5010
	AARC1B/00034
	CDCRBG/1253
	NRTA1B/0135
	DLO/MTSC/0006
	MCP12B/366
	STC8/009
	N/ISFS/10121
	CHOTS/12671
	MCP12A/102
	SMC41B/1917
	SMC42B7421
	SCSS1A/2029
	SCSS1A/2016
	CP21B/1236
	MCP21B/0312
	DEO32/7077
	LC1/0031
	NUW31A/0015
	WS32/7052
	WS31/6066
	CB/STC2/189
	WS32/7050
	WS32/7047
	CB/STC1/1003
	LC1/0020
	NWE22A/0114
	ABRO1B2/1790
	CP11B/2006
	STC1/1000
	A/13B/7014
	WS31/6027
	NMT2B/2003
	SL41A/0053
	WS32/7002
	NUW83A/1820
	SL(WS)1/1009
	SL20/SC/0583
	SLS21A/211
	WS12/106
	NUW83A/1688
	SLS21A/90
	SLS32B/1911
	ML32B/1462
	PTC/CB/00517
	CSIS/00033
	CSIS/00032
	DE031/6078
	STRS/00012
	MWABC/20052
	UWS2C/0035
	CASSC/0004
	NWC1/004
	SMC42D/5025
	NLS23B/0034
	SCSS1D/010
	LC5/235
	CB/STC2/385
	LC8/380
	LC5/044/2
	WS22/5881
	DEO33/8035
	DEO32/7076
	DEO32/7073
	CB/STC2/284
	CDCRBG/1209
	NLS25A/0003
	LC1/0025
	WS33/8025
	CSE2B/6037
	LC1/0016/2
	CB/STC/3041
	CDCRBG/1169
	WS31/6054
	ABRO1A1/1901
	NUW81B/1623
	WS31/6040
	WS31/6037
	MT(N)3A/0067
	CP11A/1024
	WS32/7006
	ESW1B/2012
	SLS21A/254
	SM21A/5022
	SLWS2/2011
	WS12/109
	SL41C/100
	WS12/101
	CB/SL22B/2006
	SL24B/1
	ICS2A/113427
	DE32/7114
	TORPC/1001
	CBC/1A/0006
	ICS2A/112381
	AOSIPT/588
	TORPC/01004
	CBCS/SC222
	CP(PI)0001
	NIMES/5004
	NWE22B/0153
	ABRO1B1/2321
	DEO33/8045
	NCSM2B/1550
	STC5/5001
	ABRO1C2/2231
	SCSS2B/1112
	SCSS1A/1142
	DEO32/7074
	DEO32/7075
	NUW31A/0014
	NSM61A/0019
	SMC42A/5283
	NUW81B/1615
	LC4/0320
	WS32/7043
	CB/STC3/3048
	LC7A/00010
	NNR/512
	SES2B/67
	CP11A/1077
	CB/STC3/3005
	WS33/8002
	PROC1C/44345
	WS32/7029
	WS32/7007
	CISE21A/2066
	SL41A/0027
	SL41C/119
	CISP2A/07
	SLS21A/252
	NUW83A/1746
	SL22A/2237
	WS12/103
	CB/SL21D/0028
	8194530/01M.
	Further details on this list in its entirety could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Biological Detection Devices

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will open for public inspection at the Public Record Office the files located at DEFE 55/97 and DEFE 55/100 regarding tests of biological detection devices and joint US/UK biological detection experiments in 1977.

Lewis Moonie: No. The reports include details of US biological detection equipment and I am therefore withholding the information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Biological Warfare

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many simulated exercises have been carried out in respect of biological and chemical weapon attacks on the UK in each of the last five years.

Geoff Hoon: The Ministry of Defence is responsible for providing military aid to the civil authorities support to the Home Office in the event of a biological or chemical weapons terrorist attack upon the UK. On average, seven crisis response exercises are carried out by the MOD each year. In addition, a large number of low level training exercises are conducted each year at unit and sub-unit level.
	The Home Office also supports a counter-terrorist exercise programme for police forces, other Government Departments and agencies. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will write to my hon. Friend with further details of that programme and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to amend the armed forces pension scheme to allow benefits to be paid to partners of service men and women killed on active service; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The Ministry of Defence does not currently have any plans to amend the armed forces pension scheme (AFPS) to allow benefits to be paid to partners of service men and women killed on active service. However, following the recently completed consultation period on the review of the AFPS, representations on a range of issues, including this one, will be taken forward for further consideration.

Departmental Contracts

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those sites operated by (a) his Department and (b) contractors responsible to his Department, which are (i) required to comply with and (ii) exempt from compliance with the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2001.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Civilian Contractors (Insurance)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to provide insurance for civilian contractors deployed on operations; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) expects contractors to provide insurance appropriate to the conduct of their business. However, there are a limited number of risks that industry is unable to insure itself against, or where the cost of obtaining such insurance is prohibitive. In such cases the MOD would consider indemnifying industry for these specific and very limited circumstances. Hitherto, consideration of an indemnity for contractors and their personnel on deployed operations has been on a case-by-case basis, but the MOD is considering, with representatives of industry, standard arrangements for these activities.

Anti-anthrax Drugs

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the supply chain, from MOD stockpile to NHS hospitals, of anti- anthrax drugs.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health have discussed the issue of availability of such treatments and arrangements are in place to allow joint access.

RAF Menwith Hill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the memorandum of understanding between the UK and US Governments in respect of RAF Menwith Hill was signed; and what expiry date was set for this memorandum.

Adam Ingram: The presence of the United States visiting forces in the UK is governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951 and additional confidential arrangements. There is no specific memorandum of understanding governing the presence of the USVF at RAF Menwith Hill.

Operation Enduring Freedom

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to date of Operation Enduring Freedom; and how much of the total cost has been met from pre-set departmental budgets.

Geoff Hoon: I will write to the hon. Member.
	 A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Porton Down

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the states with which reciprocal arrangements exist for the exchange of material and information relating to them held at Porton Down.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence maintains formal arrangements with a number of different countries relating to the exchange of material and information resulting from research at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down. The relevant countries are the United States of America, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. These arrangements are of the enabling type and do not commit the UK to specific exchanges. Actual exchanges are entered into only on a case-by-case basis and when it is in the UK's interest to do so. Additionally working groups which may exchange information meet under the auspices of NATO.
	These arrangements prevent the unnecessary duplication of research programmes and maximise the potential of advances in protection against the use of chemical and biological agents.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

CITB Levy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason the CITB levy is imposed on tool hire companies and rental companies who are not engaged wholly or mainly in the construction industry; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The CITB can impose the levy only on employers who are engaged wholly or mainly in construction activities as defined in its governing legislation. This states that construction industry activities include
	"the installation, testing, inspection, maintenance or repair of contractor's plant, or the letting out on hire of such plant or scaffolding".
	Contractors' plant is further defined to mean
	"machinery, plant or equipment of a kind used or intended for use in operations on the site of any building work or civil engineering work".

CITB Levy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason the CITB levy is not imposed on builders merchants.

John Healey: The CITB is able to impose a levy only on employers who are engaged wholly or mainly in construction activities as defined in its governing legislation. Builders merchants are wholly or mainly retailers and retailing is not a construction activity.

CITB Levy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Government will review the Industrial Training Act 1982 in respect of the CITB; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The Industrial Training Act 1982 does not relate specifically to the CITB. It gives the Secretary of State power to set up industrial training boards, which is given effect by the making of an industrial training order. The order includes a definition of the industry for which the board is to exercise its functions.
	The order that set up the CITB is the Industrial Training (Construction Board) Order 1964, most recently amended by the Industrial Training (Construction Board) Order 1964 (Amendment) Order 1992. I have no plans at the present time to review that order but am, of course, always prepared to consider proposals from any sector of the industry.

CITB Levy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will assess the case for the tool hire sector's liability to pay the CITB levy; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The Secretary of State does not have the power to assess the case for any sector's liability to pay the CITB levy. Only the CITB has the power to assess liability to pay the levy and this is in respect of an individual construction establishment, not a sector. There is a right of appeal against an assessment to an employment tribunal. A construction establishment is one that is engaged wholly or mainly in the construction industry as defined in the Industrial Training (Construction Board) Order 1964 (Amendment) Order 1992—the order which identifies the activities covered by the CITB.

CITB Levy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason there is no distinction between plant hire and tool hire in respect of the CITB levy.

John Healey: The Industrial Training (Construction Board) Order 1964 (Amendment) Order 1992 sets out the activities of the construction industry, ie the industry in respect of which the CITB is required to exercise its functions. One of those activities is the hiring out of contractors' plant, which is also further defined in the order as
	"machinery, plant or equipment of a kind used or intended for use in operations on the site of any building work or civil engineering work, but does not include lorries, ready-mixed concrete vehicles or other mechanically propelled vehicles mainly used for the carriage of goods on roads". It is this definition that determines whether or not a company falls within the scope of the CITB.

CITB Levy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason there is no opt-out clause for the CITB levy scheme; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The Industrial Training Act 1982—the legislation that governs the functions and operations of industrial training boards (ITBs)—gives an ITB the power to make provision for exempting from the levy employers who make adequate arrangements for training their work force. However it does not require it to do so. The CITB, with the support of the construction industry, has decided not to have a scheme based on exemption. Instead it has opted for a levy/grant system as being the most effective way to ensure that adequate training is carried out. The board does not believe a levy exemption scheme is appropriate for an industry where employers have a mobile work force and fluctuating work loads, making it difficult for them to plan and meet their training needs individually.

Free School Meals

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of children are eligible for free school meals in schools where less than 25 per cent. of the pupils achieve five or more grades A* to C at GCSE.

Ivan Lewis: The percentage of children known to be eligible for free school meals in mainstream, maintained schools where fewer than 25 per cent. of the pupils achieved five or more grades A* to C at GCSE/GNVQ in January 2001 was 37 per cent.

Student Support

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on details of the remit of the Government's review of student support.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 October 2001
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills announced on 3 October 2001 that she is leading a review of student funding. The reforms will build on the new arrangements for student support introduced by the Government in 1998. It will be conducted in the context of our new goal to get 50 per cent. of people under 30 into Higher Education (HE) by 2010, our ambition to expand access to HE from under-represented groups, and our continuing concern to deliver excellence in the HE system. We are therefore reviewing the balance between state funding and the contributions made by students and their families. A wide range of options is being considered and no decision is likely to be announced on the proposals until next year.

Ministerial Visit (Brazil)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what is (a) the itinerary for and (b) the cost of the visit of the Schools Minister to Brazil of 6 and 7 December.

Ivan Lewis: There is no cost and no itinerary as the Schools Minister has no plans to visit Brazil.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Scottish Executive

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library minutes and details of the date and venue of meetings held with Scottish Executive (a) Ministers and (b) officials to discuss Scottish Executive participation in UK delegations to Council of Ministers meetings; how many times Scottish Executive Ministers have sought to lead UK delegations to EU Council of Ministers meetings; how often Scottish Ministers have led UK delegations to Council of Ministers meetings when other UK Ministers have been part of the delegation; if he will make it his policy for Scottish Executive Ministers to be lead UK Ministers at Council of Ministers meetings where the matters are largely the responsibility of Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The devolved Administrations have an important interest in European policy matters in relation to devolved matters, and their Ministers and officials have an important role to play in relevant Council meetings. Decisions on attendance are taken by the lead UK Minister on a case-by-case basis.
	As yet there have been no occasions when Scottish Executive Ministers have led UK delegations when UK Ministers have been part of the delegation, but this could well be the case if appropriate in the future.

Women's Rights (Palestine)

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Palestinian Administration about human rights abuses relating to women.

Ben Bradshaw: We regularly raise human rights issues with the Palestinian Authority and have an active dialogue with Palestinian NGOs about human rights matters.
	We funded women's rights projects worth £31,300 in financial year 2000–01.
	The UK's main development programme also supports women in development projects such as providing women's training programmes and creating work opportunities and a gender law and development masters programme at the Bir Zeit University in Gaza.

Iraqi Oil

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have indicated (a) support for (b) opposition to the UK proposal to alter the interval between the price fixing of Iraqi oil from 30 days to 10 days; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Russia alone of the P5 has so far been unable to support the principle of the UK's initiative to seek fair market value for Iraqi oil exports (in line with the UN's commitment to do so), by reviewing the price set for Iraqi oil against the oil's market value every 15, instead of 30, days.

Iraqi Oil

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his proposal to the United Nations to alter the interval between the price fixing of Iraqi oil from 30 days to 10 days would have (a) positive or (b) negative economic and social consequences in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK's initiative, to review the price of Iraqi oil more frequently (every 15 instead of 30 days) in order better to match its actual market value, is maximising the revenue available to the "oil for food" humanitarian programme which benefits the Iraqi people. It also limits the opportunity for the Iraqi regime to obtain funds illegally for itself. We have proposed that the UN Sanctions Committee formally adopts this procedure to meet its commitment to obtain fair market value for Iraqi oil exports.

Fundamentalist Paramilitary Groups

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts he is making to establish the number of UK citizens involved with fundamentalist paramilitary groups in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Kashmir, (c) Pakistan, (d) Chechnya, (e) Lebanon and (f) Palestinian Authority territories; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I can assure my hon. Friend that HMG are determined that this country should not be used as a base for supporting terrorism overseas, in any way. The Terrorism Act 2000 (which entered into force in February 2001) is designed to help the UK police and courts take effective action against those who seek to plan, carry out or support terrorism from or in the UK.

Natural Disasters

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Department is responsible for making applications for aid from the budget of the EU for natural disasters in the UK.

Peter Hain: Decisions to seek financing from the European Union are taken by Departments on an individual basis.

Colonel Gaddafi

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis sought advice from the British Government on his Government's proposed trip to Libya to meet Colonel Gaddafi.

Ben Bradshaw: No.

Entry Clearance

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for each quarter that an appeal has been available against a refusal of a visa or entry clearance to visit the United Kingdom, how many applications were made for a visa or entry clearance to visit the United Kingdom; of these how many were refused; of these refusals, how many were appealed; and of these appeals, how many succeeded, broken down in each category by (a) the country from which the application was made, (b) the gender of the applicant and (c) the age of the applicant (0–10, 11–20, 21–30 and 31 and above).

Ben Bradshaw: We record details of appeals received only in respect of family visit applications. Details are given in the table of the number of appeals received between October 2000, when the right of appeal was reintroduced for family visit visa refusals, and September 2001 for the largest 114 posts.
	The number of applications received and refused between October 2000 and September 2001 are as follows. The figures are based on monthly statistical reports received from the 114 largest posts. The remaining posts submit information on an annual basis, which is not broken down into months. To answer this question for all 165 posts we would have to ask those additional posts to extract the information requested. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	We do not record the outcome of appeals, but the Lord Chancellor's Department has provided the following information:
	
		
			  Received Appeal allowed 
		
		
			 October to December 2000 139 22 
			 January to March 2001 540 156 
			 April to June 2001 1,142 422 
			 July to September 2001 1,655 890 
		
	
	We do not record the gender or the age of the applicant. To ask posts to provide this information for statistical purposes now would require them to carry out a manual search of their records. This too could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Applications received, refused and family visit applications received
		
			  October to December 2000 January to March 2001  
			  Applications received Applications refused FVA received Applications received Applications refused FVA received 
		
		
			 Abidjan 763 53 0 561 93 0 
			 Abu Dhabi 2,973 52 0 3,112 48 1 
			 Abuja 4,474 561 2 3,734 622 0 
			 Accra 12,314 1,899 10 8,978 3,303 58 
			 Addis Ababa 771 117 0 1,149 193 1 
			 Algiers — — — 850 — — 
			 Almaty 1,213 69 0 939 51 0 
			 Amman 1,940 37 0 2,225 55 0 
			 Amsterdam 2,268 25 0 1,708 46 2 
			 Ankara 969 14 0 — 14 0 
			 Bahrain 1,319 15 2 2,013 5 0 
			 Baku 691 37 0 535 21 0 
			 Bandar Seri Begawan 197 1 0 — — 0 
			 Bangkok 5,900 548 0 8,766 521 9 
			 Banjul 1,244 140 0 1,177 159 0 
			 Beirut 1,760 13 0 1,512 19 1 
			 Belgrade 2,727 47 0 2,418 40 1 
			 Bogota 3,890 486 0 3,360 384 3 
			 Bombay 11,353 895 9 15,925 882 39 
			 Bratislava 4,376 129 0 2,870 162 0 
			 Brussels 960 12 1 903 11 0 
			 Bucharest 5,415 350 1 5,059 414 4 
			 Budapest 330 26 0 300 22 0 
			 Cairo 5,940 205 1 5,216 251 3 
			 Calcutta 1,242 30 0 1,713 21 1 
			 Canberra 6,114 9 0 11,943 14 0 
			 Casablanca 1,490 89 1 1,405 52 1 
			 Chicago 1,148 3 0 2,414 2 0 
			 Colombo 4,679 905 1 4,909 1,293 13 
			 Copenhagen 751 14 0 600 22 0 
			 Dakar — — — 382 47 1 
			 Damascus 1,370 160 0 1,561 129 6 
			 Dar Es Salaam 1,805 350 2 1,866 388 2 
			 Dhaka 5,415 1,215 12 5,221 1,749 39 
			 Doha 1,069 42 0 1,413 50 1 
			 Dubai 4,174 257 2 5,657 127 4 
			 Dublin 1,413 9 0 1,361 9 1 
			 Dusseldorf 6,157 39 0 5,405 39 0 
			 Ekaterinburg 476 42 0 521 30 0 
			 Geneva 2,197 83 1 1,551 32 0 
			 Georgetown 358 38 1 339 26 1 
			 Guangzhou 2,506 555 4 2,423 1,312 8 
			 Hanoi 469 51 0 375 36 0 
			 Harare 484 81 0 762 121 0 
			 Havana 426 40 0 416 39 0 
			 Hong Kong 1,027 58 0 1,179 56 1 
			 Islamabad 14,085 3,046 35 16,090 5,203 169 
			 Istanbul 15,974 524 6 769 744 13 
			 Jakarta 5,354 73 1 2,121 69 2 
			 Jeddah 2,409 70 0 3,143 88 0 
			 Jerusalem 386 5 0 323 9 0 
			 Kampala 3,015 770 3 2,865 508 5 
			 Karachi 7,251 1,001 13 7,122 1,725 36 
			 Kathmandu 1,099 295 0 1,802 526 2 
			 Khartoum 672 172 2 674 133 2 
			 Kiev 5,491 747 0 5,756 1,151 4 
			 Kingston 744 115 1 748 66 0 
			 Kuala Lumpur 638 71 0 543 74 2 
			 Kuwait 3,730 162 2 4,693 112 1 
			 Lagos 13,620 2,545 60 14,054 1,938 101 
			 Lahore(1) — — — — — — 
			 Lima 844 26 1 805 18 1 
			 Los Angeles 4,998 13 0 4,436 15 0 
			 Luanda 402 36 0 389 17 0 
			 Lusaka 1,359 102 0 1,043 102 4 
			 Madras 5,770 269 3 8,716 335 5 
			 Madrid 1,404 7 0 13,171 7 0 
			 Manila 5,937 203 0 7,671 439 28 
			 Mexico City — — — 127 1 0 
			 Minsk 1,164 43 0 1,137 46 0 
			 Moscow 14,467 488 0 14,484 452 2 
			 Muscat 1,374 20 1 1,468 33 0 
			 Nairobi 3,904 386 2 4,016 522 8 
			 New Delhi 11,464 1,971 23 13,811 1,298 62 
			 New York 7,822 31 0 7,296 43 1 
			 Nicosia 1,131 30 0 937 32 1 
			 Oslo 756 5 0 658 1 0 
			 Ottawa 3,899 18 0 3,854 26 0 
			 Paris 5,478 16 0 4,801 13 0 
			 Peking 9,098 1,102 1 8,314 — 4 
			 Port Louis 1,811 112 4 1,730 94 2 
			 Port of Spain 397 32 0 409 30 0 
			 Prague 659 3 0 517 2 0 
			 Pretoria 4,826 532 0 6,801 430 1 
			 Quito 446 20 0 569 28 0 
			 Riga 374 34 0 435 19 0 
			 Riyadh 3,481 100 1 4,048 65 4 
			 Rome 1,832 35 0 1,418 19 0 
			 Sana'a 717 113 0 815 117 0 
			 Santo Domingo 179 11 — 178 10 0 
			 Sarajevo 703 10 0 611 3 0 
			 Shanghai 2,634 136 0 2,551 73 5 
			 Singapore 1,185 16 0 1,171 20 0 
			 Skopje(2) — — — 649 124 — 
			 Sofia 4,884 311 2 5,083 281 1 
			 St. Petersburg 2,684 87 0 2,249 143 0 
			 Sto Domingo — — 0 — — 2 
			 Stockholm 1,143 19 0 901 12 0 
			 Taipei 5,766 — 0 6,315 230 0 
			 Tashkent 514 36 0 394 57 0 
			 Tbilisi 489 143 0 555 33 0 
			 Tehran 4,079 199 1 5,181 183 8 
			 Tel Aviv 300 39 0 2,758 109 — 
			 Tirana 443 62 0 340 53 1 
			 Tokyo 989 37 0 1,586 387 0 
			 Tripoli — — — — — 1 
			 Tunis 1,617 289 3 1,664 227 9 
			 Valletta 269 8 0 1,033 — — 
			 Vienna 716 10 0 667 9 0 
			 Warsaw 355 17 0 314 25 0 
			 Washington 3,253 0 0 2,538 3 0 
			 Wellington 42 18 0 4,043 7 0 
			 Yaounde 408 109 0 436 56 1 
			 Zagreb 3,263 111 0 2,525 118 4 
			  
			  324,754 26,812 215 345,047 31,533 703 
		
	
	(1) Opened September 2001
	(2) January 2001
	
		Applications received, refused and family visit applications received
		
			   April to June 2001  August to September 2001  
			  Applications received Applications refused FVA received Applications received Applications refused FVA received 
		
		
			 Abidjan 953 60 0 907 121 0 
			 Abu Dhabi 7,484 212 5 7,961 278 10 
			 Abuja 5,973 571 20 8,498 1,035 18 
			 Accra 18,690 4,607 103 18,555 5,194 70 
			 Addis Ababa 1,197 177 3 1,748 291 5 
			 Algiers 942 — — 1,333 — — 
			 Almaty 1,333 47 0 1,119 76 0 
			 Amman 2,748 29 0 3,847 76 1 
			 Amsterdam 2,323 14 2 2,507 41 3 
			 Ankara — 19 0 1,173 12 0 
			 Bahrain 3,715 15 1 5,353 30 0 
			 Baku 764 30 0 851 7 0 
			 Bandar Seri Begawan — — 0 — — 0 
			 Bangkok 8,855 487 23 7,698 648 16 
			 Banjul 1,937 199 5 2,626 328 5 
			 Beirut 2,148 11 0 2,420 22 0 
			 Belgrade 3,596 45 2 3,348 43 1 
			 Bogota 6,744 373 1 4,819 453 2 
			 Bombay 30,135 1,599 136 20,500 1,600 126 
			 Bratislava 6,397 116 0 6,049 151 0 
			 Brussels 986 7 0 1,043 12 0 
			 Bucharest 7,887 370 3 8,702 440 0 
			 Budapest 415 15 0 422 21 0 
			 Cairo 9,537 225 0 10,389 366 2 
			 Calcutta 4,311 43 1 2,753 57 4 
			 Canberra 9,912 13 0 7,885 8 0 
			 Casablanca 1,824 38 0 2,403 75 2 
			 Chicago 3,583 6 0 2,302 7 0 
			 Colombo 6,342 795 28 7,152 1,385 40 
			 Copenhagen 960 18 0 687 33 2 
			 Dakar 129 11 0 — — 0 
			 Damascus 1,979 179 0 1,413 227 0 
			 Dar Es Salaam 2,628 277 12 2,041 264 13 
			 Dhaka 7,523 949 69 9,134 1,398 91 
			 Doha 3,809 72 0 4,764 104 3 
			 Dubai 11,739 72 6 10,034 104 12 
			 Dublin 1,682 35 1 1,580 46 0 
			 Dusseldorf 6,676 33 0 5,690 45 0 
			 Ekaterinburg 1,257 21 0 923 27 0 
			 Geneva 2,427 26 0 2,479 35 1 
			 Georgetown 699 40 4 620 54 3 
			 Guangzhou 5,336 1,234 12 6,143 396 11 
			 Hanoi 619 48 0 246 22 0 
			 Harare 564 73 0 — — 0 
			 Havana 573 31 0 481 36 0 
			 Hong Kong 1,961 50 2 1,561 45 2 
			 Islamabad 30,872 5,910 538 20,033 4,153 449 
			 Istanbul 1,131 519 11 13,430 701 23 
			 Jakarta 5,382 73 3 2,590 80 0 
			 Jeddah 8,324 77 0 5,866 71 5 
			 Jerusalem 643 9 0 712 14 0 
			 Kampala 3,859 318 3 3,485 349 5 
			 Karachi 16,964 2,933 29 13,411 2,554 85 
			 Kathmandu 1,561 413 0 2,036 818 20 
			 Khartoum 1,745 134 11 1,230 136 5 
			 Kiev 8,493 916 3 6,226 1,070 4 
			 Kingston 1,194 109 1 1,264 122 3 
			 Kuala Lumpur 716 95 1 844 111 1 
			 Kuwait 10,612 135 1 14,345 196 2 
			 Lagos 23,197 2,261 144 26,056 2,635 174 
			 Lahore(3) — — — 1,345 271 2 
			 Lima 1,087 26 0 1,137 24 0 
			 Los Angeles 6,767 5 0 5,364 5 0 
			 Luanda 499 14 0 813 30 0 
			 Lusaka 1,433 65 6 1,218 78 1 
			 Madras 12,272 312 7 8,150 336 6 
			 Madrid 13,207 3 0 1,418 2 0 
			 Manila 7,830 426 60 5,841 344 46 
			 Mexico City 178 0 1 181 0 0 
			 Minsk 2,968 41 0 3,045 80 0 
			 Moscow 22,941 593 5 16,894 619 8 
			 Muscat 4,258 41 3 3,209 40 5 
			 Nairobi 6,582 469 7 6,872 731 17 
			 New Delhi 28,328 1,672 167 21,719 1,525 156 
			 New York 10,263 31 0 8,403 20 0 
			 Nicosia 1,285 34 1 2,053 38 7 
			 Oslo 1,063 1 1 898 2 0 
			 Ottawa 5,582 33 0 5,192 24 1 
			 Paris 6,946 8 0 7,689 11 1 
			 Peking 12,568 — 2 19,175 2,237 0 
			 Port Louis 3,823 100 7 3,050 200 9 
			 Port of Spain 541 40 0 662 39 0 
			 Prague 670 3 0 755 3 0 
			 Pretoria 5,756 386 0 4,526 406 0 
			 Quito 821 20 0 865 19 1 
			 Riga 553 41 0 303 18 1 
			 Riyadh 10,796 114 7 9,836 129 7 
			 Rome 2,097 36 0 3,661 24 1 
			 Sana'a 1,322 104 11 1,448 70 5 
			 Santo Domingo 547 6 0 532 22 0 
			 Sarajevo 780 6 0 684 5 0 
			 Shanghai 4,889 61 0 6,660 702 0 
			 Singapore 1,695 11 0 1,331 19 0 
			 Skopje(4) 1,205 94 — 839 139 — 
			 Sofia 6,823 555 0 5,726 899 0 
			 St. Petersburg 3,663 129 0 3,010 134 0 
			 Sto Domingo — — 0 — — 14 
			 Stockholm 1,333 8 0 1,119 13 0 
			 Taipei 12,297 429 0 12,282 0 0 
			 Tashkent 599 49 0 885 72 0 
			 Tbilisi 530 30 0 790 33 0 
			 Tehran 6,583 69 9 7,198 167 20 
			 Tel Aviv 4,766 175 — 6,552 394 — 
			 Tirana 704 40 0 853 103 0 
			 Tokyo 1,435 242 1 1,299 81 0 
			 Tripoli — — 7 — — 0 
			 Tunis 1,875 196 15 3,042 166 21 
			 Valletta 1,560 — — — — — 
			 Vienna 745 11 0 813 7 0 
			 Warsaw 448 19 0 545 24 0 
			 Washington 3,271 0 1 3,030 0 0 
			 Wellington 4,240 10 0 2,026 7 0 
			 Yaounde 710 70 3 476 44 4 
			 Zagreb 3,945 19 1 4,346 32 0 
			  
			  553,064 34,041 1,506 513,447 38,921 1,552 
		
	
	(3) Opened September 2001
	(4) January 2001

Entry Clearance

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for each year from 1990 to 2000, how many applications were made for a visa or entry clearance to visit the United Kingdom of these, how many were repeat applications; how many applications for a visa or entry clearance to visit the United Kingdom were refused; and of these, how many were repeat applications, broken down in each category by (a) the country from which the application was made, (b) the gender of the applicant and (c) the age of the applicant (0–10, 11–20, 21–30 and 31 and above).

Ben Bradshaw: We do not maintain records on the number of visa applications received for the years 1990 to 1992. Most records of applications at overseas Posts for those years will have been destroyed.
	We have the following information for 1993 to 1996:
	
		
			 Year/region Received Refused 
		
		
			 1993   
			 Equatorial Africa 90,123 18,749 
			 Southern Africa 6,703 266 
			 Near East and North Africa 73,320 4,198 
			 Middle East 110,230 4,156 
			 Far East 75,820 1,205 
			 South Asia 188,453 25,224 
			 SE Asia 98,434 2,821 
			 Australia/South Pacific 19,349 43 
			 Western Europe 92,748 3,074 
			 Central Europe and FSU 103,960 4,569 
			 Southern Europe 66,193 3,212 
			 Northern Europe 63,634 183 
			 West Indies and Atlantic 6,081 1,057 
			 Latin America 4,870 88 
			
			 1994   
			 Equatorial Africa 97,184 19,998 
			 Southern Africa 9,662 472 
			 Near East and North Africa 76,814 3,261 
			 Middle East 116,940 3,876 
			 Far East 78,798 684 
			 South Asia 210,117 30,504 
			 SE Asia 120,092 2,622 
			 Australia/South Pacific 28,563 53 
			 Western Europe 98,524 2,953 
			 MVD, London 318 0 
			 Central Europe and FSU 15,752 4,919 
			 Southern Europe 54,654 3,338 
			 Northern Europe 72,301 213 
			 West Indies and Atlantic 7,431 1,300 
			 Latin America 5,223 75 
			
			 1995   
			 Equatorial Africa 89,889 19,573 
			 Southern Africa 16,308 507 
			 Near East and North Africa 78,127 4,509 
			 Middle East 122,794 4,969 
			 Far East 82,591 1,222 
			 South Asia 222,954 35,576 
			 SE Asia 130,246 2,362 
			 Australia/South Pacific 35,699 77 
			 Western Europe 96,516 2,480 
			 MVD, London 192 0 
			 Central Europe and FSU 187,991 7,033 
			 Southern Europe 63,610 3,986 
			 Northern Europe 72,434 301 
			 West Indies and Atlantic 6,855 836 
			 Latin America 6,314 145 
			
			 1996   
			 Equatorial Africa 126,738 199,941 
			 Southern Africa 19,403 844 
			 Near East and North Africa 80,598 5,187 
			 Middle East 199,080 4,751 
			 Far East 88,542 1,458 
			 South Asia 231,499 36,430 
			 SE Asia 138,067 3,046 
			 Australia/South Pacific 3,895 43 
			 Western Europe 96,496 2,613 
			 MVD, London 723 0 
			 Central Europe and FSU 213,984 9,470 
			 Southern Europe 81,091 3,484 
			 Northern Europe 80,783 241 
			 West Indies and Atlantic 7,845 721 
			 Latin America 8,815 200 
		
	
	The numbers of applications received and refused between 1997 and 2000 are as follows.
	We do not record for statistical purposes whether an application is a repeat application, the gender of the applicant or their age. To ask Posts to provide this information now would require them to carry out a manual search of their records, which could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Applications received/refused
		
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  
			  Received Refused Received Refused Received Refused Received Refused 
		
		
			 Abidjan 2,053 300 2,343 352 2,176 201 2,865 235 
			 Abu Dhabi 16,532 319 (5)— (5)— 17,663 434 18,850 333 
			 Abuja 7,930 1,359 11,487 1,452 16,782 1,777 21,602 2,776 
			 Accra 19,145 4,840 22,901 5,078 28,308 5,355 34,144 7,783 
			 Addis Ababa 5,808 866 4,357 362 4,066 551 3,547 519 
			 Algiers 2,657 0 3,499 0 3,370 0 0 0 
			 Almaty 4,589 133 5,334 84 4,996 114 5,486 220 
			 Amman 9,716 190 9,076 227 8,642 228 10,114 151 
			 Amsterdam 7,095 234 7,470 256 8,198 270 8,905 172 
			 Ankara 4,770 49 4,530 67 4,695 90 5,304 52 
			 Antananarivo 324 6 298 8 359 25 354 31 
			 Ascension Island 52 1 55 0 59 0 80 0 
			 Ashgabat 296 0 335 0 710 12 1,049 6 
			 Athens 1,157 13 991 29 1,167 112 1,273 154 
			 Bahrain 13,338 88 (5)— (5)— 11,026 73 12,410 98 
			 Baku 2,358 1 3,217 16 2,755 113 2,702 171 
			 Bandar Seri Begawan 1,097 5 912 4 1,185 18 1,238 5 
			 Bangkok 42,592 1,406 21,906 1,503 29,278 1,950 32,253 2,100 
			 Banjul 3,115 654 3,137 508 3,933 915 4,579 809 
			 Beirut 8,027 381 7,507 271 7,500 230 8,090 130 
			 Belgrade 13,641 437 14,772 285 2,683 55 11,185 207 
			 Belmopan 22 0 24 0 17 0 31 0 
			 Berne 88 0 57 0 40 0 49 0 
			 Bogota 14,734 441 20,683 1,089 17,129 1,303 19,766 1,759 
			 Bombay 56,488 4,813 63,909 5,006 72,203 5,895 73,317 6,684 
			 Bonn 428 0 584 0 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Brasilia 90 0 97 0 95 0 164 0 
			 Bratislava 401 36 6,082 69 22,838 773 21,070 496 
			 Bridgetown 701 78 821 71 922 105 987 109 
			 Brussels 6,026 120 4,443 118 4,442 94 4,574 81 
			 Bucharest 18,830 834 23,206 1,180 22,056 1,416 22,270 1,565 
			 Budapest 1,352 45 1,610 74 4,869 174 1,587 103 
			 Buenos Aires 614 4 574 3 635 10 652 6 
			 Cairo 28,869 949 29,616 904 30,602 728 30,940 612 
			 Calcutta 9,264 118 11,629 89 9,636 173 10,087 141 
			 Canberra 28,585 41 32,317 31 34,095 36 34,423 56 
			 Caracas 573 3 445 12 584 10 708 13 
			 Casablanca 7,368 862 7,084 665 7,212 453 7,763 426 
			 Chicago 8,981 18 10,484 17 11,084 24 11,311 9 
			 Colombo 12,288 608 14,594 622 18,449 1,281 21,288 2,480 
			 Copenhagen 2,197 89 2,240 47 2,654 39 3,229 52 
			 Dakar 1,410 229 1,243 189 1,430 183 1,581 160 
			 Damascus 5,857 233 5,976 297 5,404 411 7,389 536 
			 Dar Es Salaam 6,962 238 9,008 856 9,607 1,489 9,253 1,472 
			 Dhaka 18,132 5,829 17,187 4,562 19,752 4,656 22,418 5,342 
			 Doha 14,972 101 (5)— (5)— 10,407 303 9,973 278 
			 Dubai 26,364 897 (5)— (5)— 27,677 953 28,408 1,130 
			 Dublin 3,496 7 3,313 21 3,613 37 5,039 71 
			 Dusseldorf 24,965 668 19,813 483 21,854 309 25,279 182 
			 Ekaterinburg 423 12 2,941 65 2,083 46 2,803 97 
			 Freetown 624 145 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 2,815 420 
			 Gaborone 671 17 790 28 820 34 946 44 
			 Geneva 8,936 129 8,266 121 8,075 148 9,384 188 
			 Georgetown 1,589 208 1,582 190 1,521 205 1,881 163 
			 Gibraltar 568 0 625 0 344 10 242 0 
			 Guangzhou (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 4,234 206 13,453 1,373 
			 Guatemala City 47 0 72 1 89 3 93 6 
			 Hamilton 54 0 289 0 280 3 239 0 
			 Hanoi 1,272 99 2,205 164 1,761 315 2,233 244 
			 Harare 1,530 166 1,955 254 1,900 222 2,960 444 
			 Havana 1,821 106 2,107 96 2,221 163 1,968 108 
			 Helsinki 956 20 1,046 7 948 31 1,367 42 
			 Hong Kong 13,365 332 11,846 380 6,390 399 5,833 290 
			 Honiara 38 0 11 0 23 0 22 1 
			 Houston 4,856 24 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Islamabad 33,011 5,974 49,087 7,369 50,816 11,299 64,346 11,047 
			 Istanbul 60,286 2,625 63,338 2,817 58,870 2,240 63,334 2,274 
			 Jakarta 31,980 164 8,855 271 18,539 356 19,340 357 
			 Jedda 25,304 711 (5)— (5)— 25,803 1,234 21,844 540 
			 Jerusalem 2,234 43 2,378 88 2,021 138 2,189 43 
			 Kampala 9,309 836 11,203 1,007 11,612 1,224 13,139 2,176 
			 Karachi 26,678 1,832 28,063 3,124 30,286 3,915 32,450 4,942 
			 Kathmandu 3,096 296 3,825 676 4,148 759 5,597 1,263 
			 Khartoum 3,401 533 (5)— (5)— 1,494 315 4,224 616 
			 Kiev 22,469 2,626 23,727 2,580 22,693 2,843 26,145 3,121 
			 Kigali (5)— (5)— 105 0 110 0 106 0 
			 Kingston 3,217 232 3,537 230 3,475 389 3,618 408 
			 Kinshasa 686 82 689 44 1,385 143 1,104 255 
			 Kuala Lumpur 3,893 157 2,655 317 2,956 289 2,645 303 
			 Kuwait 40,517 352 (5)— (5)— 36,199 397 33,469 661 
			 La Paz 46 2 67 1 49 2 56 0 
			 Lagos 42,648 8,856 44,129 8,621 55,319 8,267 62,123 9,363 
			 Lahore (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Lilongwe 337 32 374 33 456 39 437 28 
			 Lima 3,387 91 3,884 161 3,642 190 3,678 159 
			 Lisbon 1,107 15 1,352 27 1,213 19 1,352 27 
			 Los Angeles 17,442 32 24,517 93 24,417 186 25,023 98 
			 Luanda 1,497 38 1,609 30 1,744 44 1,857 138 
			 Lusaka 4,082 251 4,488 208 4,746 225 5,289 334 
			 Luxembourg 477 3 397 0 400 0 340 1 
			 Madras 18,970 651 23,868 917 27,003 954 32,531 1,316 
			 Madrid 2,871 137 2,816 184 2,655 132 3,906 84 
			 Managua 17 0 15 0 16 0 21 0 
			 Manila 21,104 1,125 17,868 1,584 19,868 1,274 25,868 1,161 
			 Maputo 652 28 792 23 717 22 933 27 
			 Maseru 104 2 160 6 234 33 195 42 
			 Mbabane (5)— (5)— 152 8 123 1 160 5 
			 Mexico City 1,107 4 1,228 5 1,339 7 1,636 5 
			 Minsk 7,552 90 7,131 168 7,137 120 8,081 201 
			 Montevideo 128 0 139 0 88 0 95 0 
			 Moscow 91,496 2,624 77,323 2,105 56,736 1,248 65,544 1,421 
			 Muscat 8,534 76 (5)— (5)— 10,587 124 10,004 131 
			 MVD, London 856 0 483 0 579 0 (5)— (5)— 
			 Nairobi 18,060 1,041 17,194 1,578 18,796 2,082 18,949 1,545 
			 Nassau 229 0 244 3 338 3 327 1 
			 New Delhi 54,137 7,200 60,283 8,249 66,822 11,165 70,790 12,481 
			 New York 28,303 170 32,786 268 34,545 169 35,012 166 
			 Nicosia 2,911 233 8,340 422 8,006 461 7,397 325 
			 Nuku'alofa 14 0 20 0 28 0 1 0 
			 Oslo 3,360 62 2,745 34 2,739 39 3,265 22 
			 Ottawa 15,586 159 18,482 111 18,744 66 18,848 61 
			 Panama City 4 0 162 6 161 3 167 3 
			 Paris 22,833 303 21,301 176 19,561 151 22,189 84 
			 Peking 33,743 2,850 33,809 2,602 35,254 2,733 42,804 4,105 
			 Port Louis 8,614 460 9,537 489 9,463 516 10,105 633 
			 Port Moresby 626 4 609 5 676 6 567 3 
			 Port of Spain 1,394 45 1,535 41 1,793 68 1,937 124 
			 Port Stanley 79 0 66 1 49 0 (5)— (5)— 
			 Prague 1,201 55 1,642 67 2,127 90 2,181 79 
			 Pretoria 12,700 556 19,328 657 22,437 1,162 19,950 1,718 
			 Quito 1,689 167 3,028 201 2,020 229 2,029 188 
			 Rabat 0 0 526 0 541 0 510 0 
			 Rangoon 847 39 1,095 39 1,028 77 1,259 111 
			 Reykjavik 85 0 88 2 136 2 198 0 
			 Riga 2,393 78 2,513 174 2,173 156 1,943 147 
			 Rio de Janeiro 616 22 735 21 720 36 806 62 
			 Ryidah 30,269 545 (5)— (5)— 31,108 800 29,065 569 
			 Rome 5,576 368 6,059 460 5,422 252 7,408 171 
			 San Jose 53 0 77 0 72 0 111 0 
			 San Salvador 8 1 16 0 15 0 23 0 
			 Sana'a 4,005 401 (5)— (5)— 4,093 252 5,117 681 
			 Santiago 480 3 543 9 507 6 343 0 
			 Santo Domingo 434 41 1,151 84 1,408 59 1,316 48 
			 Sarajevo 766 68 2,036 139 3,370 163 3,014 73 
			 Seoul 1,536 16 839 15 974 27 1,166 72 
			 Shanghai (5)— (5)— 5,683 (5)— 8,353 788 12,833 885 
			 Singapore 3,696 35 4,096 31 4,339 19 5,384 39 
			 Skopje 257 0 417 0 720 1 1,020 0 
			 Sofia 14,867 636 17,241 944 21,182 1,371 22,291 1,303 
			 St. Petersburg 16,610 393 14,382 637 11,347 655 11,981 573 
			 Stockholm 5,890 66 5,865 100 4,582 87 4,598 78 
			 Suva 764 14 763 20 822 14 1,340 20 
			 Taipei 50,133 0 41,089 0 43,042 0 44,959 0 
			 Tallinn 471 9 534 59 827 80 655 168 
			 Tangier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Tashkent 3,115 109 2,915 208 2,581 118 1,946 173 
			 Tbilisi 1,479 36 1,905 22 2,290 59 2,793 399 
			 Tegucigalpa 18 0 23 0 25 0 39 2 
			 Tehran 21,013 821 (5)— (5)— 22,613 557 26,750 790 
			 Tel Aviv 1,601 154 1,696 255 1,431 184 1,585 123 
			 The Hague 207 0 118 0 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Tirana (5)— (5)— 206 33 1,703 206 2,071 297 
			 Tokyo 5,590 160 5,443 219 5,044 306 5,131 271 
			 Tripoli 618 0 860 3 1,507 12 8,344 256 
			 Tunis 7,374 1,713 7,507 1,260 7,310 1,097 7,809 1,160 
			 Ulaan Baatar 590 11 818 79 911 130 1,084 184 
			 Valletta 7,726 18 7,419 22 6,876 29 4,964 17 
			 Victoria 198 1 192 3 268 0 282 3 
			 Vienna 2,583 21 2,625 18 2,618 15 3,007 34 
			 Vila 15 0 6 0 9 1 10 2 
			 Vilnius 229 16 366 38 325 46 526 65 
			 Warsaw 1,341 142 1,409 116 1,568 115 1,509 213 
			 Washington 10,561 8 12,083 4 11,531 17 12,635 7 
			 Wellington 12,419 20 13,050 24 13,743 43 12,807 72 
			 Windhoek 198 6 363 7 483 15 496 50 
			 Yaounde 1,776 171 2,084 243 2,054 225 2,177 350 
			 Yerevan 667 34 1,022 43 969 28 1,036 101 
			 Zagreb 841 84 342 25 2,435 34 13,490 352 
		
	
	(5) Posts where figures are not available

Biological Weapons Convention

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with other Governments on the ratification of the verification protocol amendment to the Biological Weapons Convention 1972.

Ben Bradshaw: None on the ratification of the protocol. The last meeting of the Ad Hoc Group of the States Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) which had been negotiating a Protocol took place from 24 July to 17 August 2001. The meeting concluded without agreement on a Protocol text or a future negotiating process. We continue to support the strengthening of the BTWC and have regular discussions with like-minded partners about further options to achieve this objective.

Botswana

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to the Government of Botswana concerning their policy of resettling the nomadic San people in villages.

Ben Bradshaw: The Foreign Secretary called on President Mogae of Botswana when he and his Foreign Minister visited London in June. The issue of resettlement of the San people was discussed during the meeting. The British High Commissioner discussed the San when he presented his credentials to President Mogae in September.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is being done to hold President Mugabe to the Abuja Accord.

Ben Bradshaw: Together with our EU partners, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Commonwealth and other concerned members of the international community, we continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by the commitments it made in Abuja. My noble Friend Baroness Amos plans to visit Zimbabwe on 25–26 October with Abuja partners, to assess progress on the ground.

Zimbabwe

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Zimbabwe.

Ben Bradshaw: We are very concerned by the continuing breakdown of law and order in Zimbabwe. We are working with our Commonwealth, African, EU and other international partners to urge the Zimbabwean Government to restore the rule of law, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and implement economic reform. We continue to urge the Zimbabwean Government to abide by the commitments it made in Abuja. My noble Friend Baroness Amos plans to visit Zimbabwe on 25–26 October to assess the situation on the ground, as part of the Abuja process, and in the company of other Commonwealth representatives.

Middle East

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the release of Israeli soldiers by the Lebanese Hizbollah.

Ben Bradshaw: This Government condemn hostage taking under any circumstances. The Government are doing what they can to help in these cases, and continue to raise them with the relevant countries in the region pressing particularly for access to the hostages for the ICRC. We strongly support all efforts to secure the release of all hostages, particularly efforts led by the United Nations Secretary General.

Burma

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent report compiled by Earthrights International regarding the activities of Premier Oil in Burma; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The report to which the hon. Member refers, published in May 2000, criticised Premier Oil's presence in Burma on the ground that it helped prop up a military regime under which human rights abuses, including forced labour, are widespread. We share that view and have asked Premier to leave Burma as soon as, and to the fullest extent that, it legally can.

Pakistan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Pakistani counterparts concerning the sentencing to death of Dr. Yunis Shaikh for blasphemy on 18 August.

Ben Bradshaw: The then FCO Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Scotland, raised this with the Pakistani Minister of Law, Ms Shahida Jamil, in April. In May, the local EU Troika raised the application of the blasphemy laws with Ms Jamil. Officials in our High Commission in Islamabad most recently discussed Mr. Shaikh's case with representatives of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in August. We will continue to follow this issue closely.

Tibet

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the most recent talks between the EU and Chinese regarding Tibet and (b) the situation of Chadrel Rinpoche, Gedun Choekyi, Ngawang Sangdrol, Ngawang Choephel and the anniversary monks.

Denis MacShane: The information is as follows:
	(a) The EU raised our concerns about Tibet at the EU-China summit on 5 September. The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue on 25–26 October will provide another opportunity to discuss these concerns in detail.
	(b) We regularly raise our concerns about political prisoners in Tibet. Chadrel Rinpoche, Gedun Choekyi Nyima, Ngawang Sangdrol and Ngawang Cheophel were among the individual cases raised at the last round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 12–14 February. The Chinese gave the following information:
	Chadrel Rinpoche was in good health and allowed to study (i.e. watch TV and read newspapers). He was not held in solitary confinement, sharing his room with one other inmate. He was not required to carry out hard labour. We were told Chadrel was due for release on 9 January 2002.
	Ngawang Sangdrol was in good health, studies in her spare time and engages in weaving as a hobby. Her release date was 2013, her sentence having been extended three times for engaging in protests.
	Ngawang Choephel was in good health physically and mentally.
	In response to our call for independent access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Chinese said that his parents wished to preserve his privacy. We continue t press the Chinese for reassurance that Gedhun Choekyi is alive and well, and for independent access to him.
	We have no news of the two monks (Phuntsok Legmon and Namdrol) who were sentenced in July 1999 for protesting on 10 March 1999 in Lhasa.

Dublin and Monaghan Bombings

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has responded to requests for information from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 16W.

Sri Lanka

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many arms export licences for arms sales to Sri Lanka have been rejected in each of the past five years.

Nigel Griffiths: I have been asked to reply.
	Details of all export licensing decisions taken between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 2000 were set out in the Government's 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; copies are in the Library of the House.
	The next Annual Report covering the period to December 2001 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the calendar year.

Sri Lanka

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list how many arms export licences have been granted in each of the past five years for arms sales to Sri Lanka; if he will list the arms exported by each deal; if he will list who has received the arms in Sri Lanka; and what their end-use is.

Nigel Griffiths: I have been asked to reply.
	Details of all export licensing decisions taken between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 2000 were set out in the Government's 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; copies are in the Library of the House.
	From 1 January 2001 to 8 October 2001, 19 Standard Individual Export Licences and four Open Individual Export Licences were issued covering items on the Military List destined for Sri Lanka.
	In addition, goods on the Military List may have been exported to Sri Lanka under certain Open General Export Licences; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.
	Under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, Exemption 13Third Party's Commercial confidences, I cannot provide the information requested on end use as it has been provided to the Government in confidence. In addition, publication of this information could reveal details of the recipient country's defence strategy, as well as being commercially damaging to the exporter.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Ministerial Visits

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many overseas visits and to which destinations have been undertaken by the Minister for Science over the last three years; and how they were funded.

Patricia Hewitt: Over the last three years, the Minister for Science has undertaken 43 overseas visits to the following destinations: Belgium, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. This includes a number of formal and informal EU Research Council meetings.
	The travel costs have been met from within the departmental budget.

Summer Recess

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department during the summer recess.

Patricia Hewitt: 158 press notices and 17 consultation documents were issued by the Department during the summer recess period. 57 of the releases issued during this period were standard statistical information notes, merger clearances and other company law announcements. Copies of all the documents are available on the DTI website. Press notices are also available from the Central Office of Information.

End of Life Vehicles Directive

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the implementation of the End of Vehicle Life Directive on MG Rover.

Patricia Hewitt: The DTI Consultation Paper includes a partial regulatory impact assessment that addresses the costs and benefits of the Directive. My Department has had a number of meetings with MG Rover, and with other car manufacturers, about the impact of the Directive. A full assessment of the effect on individual companies cannot be made until the precise method of implementation has been decided.

Regional Development Agencies

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the administrative budget is of each of the English regional development agencies in the current financial year.

Alan Johnson: The RDAs' administration budgets this year are as follows:
	
		 million 
		
			   Administration 
		
		
			 One North East 10.653 
			 North West Development Agency 14.044 
			 Yorkshire Forward 9.989 
			 East Midlands Development Agency 7.488 
			 Advantage West Midlands 8.793 
			 East of England Development Agency 5.836 
			 South East Development Agency 7.143 
			 South West Development Agency 9.099 
			 London Development Agency 9.470 
			  
			 Total 82.515

Textile Industry (Climate Change Levy)

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the textile industry regarding the climate change levy; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Ministers and officials maintain contact with textile industry representatives, where issues of concern to the textile industry are discussed. Prior to the levy's implementation in April this year, the British Apparel and Textile Confederation (BATC) negotiated an Energy Efficiency Agreement with the Government for an 80 per cent. discount from the levy for eligible textile companies.

Hearing Aid Council

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will review the Code of Practice of the Hearing Aid Council relating to protection of persons who purchase a hearing aid in circumstances in which they were misled by the seller.

Melanie Johnson: The Code of Practice is the responsibility of the Hearing Aid Council, who keep it under review.

Departmental Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate total staff costs for his Department and its agencies by nation and region of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The pay bill costs for the DTI, excluding the Patent Office and Companies House Trading Funds, but including the Department's gross and net controlled agencies, in 19992000 were 222 million. A more detailed breakdown is given in the Department's Expenditure Plans Report 200102 to 200304, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House (Cm 5112). The figure is not broken down geographically, and it would incur disproportionate cost to do so, but the Department's current staff, excluding those at the agencies and in Government offices, are distributed as follows:
	
		
			 Based Number of staff Percentage 
		
		
			 England 4,457 94.7 
			 Scotland 167 3.5 
			 Wales 81 1.7 
			 Northern Ireland 0 0 
		
	
	I have asked the agency and Trading Fund chief executives to reply directly in respect of the expenditure and staff for which they are responsible.
	Letter from Chris de Grouchy to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 October 2001
	Parliamentary QuestionStaff Costs for DTI
	I am replying on behalf of our Chief Executive David Hendon who is currently away from the office.
	The total paybill costs, including Superannuation, for the Radiocommunications Agency for 200001 were 17.9m. The national and regional breakdown was as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 England 17.2 
			 Scotland 0.3 
			 Wales 0.2 
			 Northern Ireland 0.2 
		
	
	Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 October 2001
	I am responding on behalf of the Patent Office, an Executive Agency of the DTI, to the Parliamentary question tabled on 23 July 2001 in which you asked the Secretary of State if she would estimate total staff costs for her Department and its agencies by nation and region of the UK.
	The paybill costs for the Patent Office in 20002001 were 24.5 million. A more detailed breakdown is given in our Annual Report 200001, a copy of which is available in the library of the House. The figure is not broken down geographically but the staff are distributed as follows:
	895 (98.7%) are based in Wales; and
	12 (1.3%) in England; and
	0 (0%) in Scotland; and
	0 (0%) in Northern Ireland.
	Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 October 2001
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question about the total staff costs for The Insolvency Service.
	The pay bill costs for The Service in 19992000 were 36,683,000 and, in 20002001 36,177,000. The figures are included in The Service's annual report and accounts, published in July 2001. The figures are not broken down geographically, and it would incur disproportionate cost to do so, but The Service's current staff are distributed as follows:
	1,539 (96.8%) are based in England;
	9 (0.6%) in Scotland;
	41 (2.6%) in Wales; and
	0 (0%) in Northern Ireland.
	Letter from John Holden to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 October 2001
	I have been asked to reply to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of Companies House Executive Agency.
	The total pay bill including pension contributions and employer's National Insurance cost for the financial year ended 31 March 2001 was 17.4 million.
	These figures are not readily broken down by Region, but 94% of the workforce is based in Wales, 4% in Scotland and 2% in England. The total employed headcount on a full time equivalent basis was 954 on average for the same period.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 October 2001
	I refer to your attached Parliamentary Question of 23 July, 2001.
	The contribution of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) to the total staff costs in question is as follows:
	Total costs for 20002001 for Great Britain were 22,289,000.00. A more detailed breakdown of numbers of staff and costs is given in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Employment Tribunals Service 20002001. The report is available at the ETS website, www.ets.gov.uk. The figure is not broken down geographically, and it would incur disproportionate cost to do so, but the Agency's current staff, as at the end of September 2001, are distributed as follows:
	607.9 (90.03%) are based in England
	51.8 (7.67%) are based in Scotland; and
	15.5 (2.30%) are based in Cardiff, Wales.
	Letter from Iain MacGregor to Mr. Michael Weir, dated 23 October 2001
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of NWML to your question regarding the staff costs for DTI and its Agencies.
	The figures for NWML are as follows:
	1999/2000 = 1.65 M
	2000/2001 = 1.74 M

Departmental Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the number of staff employed by her Department by region and nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The total staff in post figures for the DTI, including agencies (Companies House, Employment Tribunal Service, Insolvency Service, National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Patent Office and Radiocommunications Agency) is 10,099.
	This figure is broken down by nation as follows:
	
		
			   Staff in post Percentage 
		
		
			 England 7,620 75.45 
			 Northern Ireland 6 0.06 
			 Scotland 294 2.91 
			 Wales 2,182 21.58 
		
	
	This figure is further broken down by nation and region (county) as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 England  
			 Avon 102 
			 Bedfordshire 18 
			 Berkshire 49 
			 Cambridgeshire 23 
			 Cheshire 25 
			 Cleveland 95 
			 Cornwall 1 
			 Devon 76 
			 Dorset 15 
			 East Sussex 32 
			 Essex 25 
			 Gloucestershire 26 
			 Greater London 5,282 
			 Greater Manchester 146 
			 Hampshire 78 
			 Hertfordshire 134 
			 Humberside 32 
			 Kent 59 
			 Lancashire 33 
			 Leicestershire 36 
			 Merseyside 68 
			 Middlesex 60 
			 Norfolk 26 
			 Northamptonshire 24 
			 Nottinghamshire 87 
			 Oxfordshire 28 
			 Shropshire 28 
			 South Yorkshire 161 
			 Staffordshire 17 
			 Suffolk 76 
			 Surrey 174 
			 Tyne and Wear 79 
			 Unknown 46 
			 West Midlands 348 
			 West Yorkshire 111 
			   
			 Northern Ireland  
			 Down 5 
			 Londonderry 1 
			 Scotland  
			 Central 12 
			 Grampian 85 
			 Lothian 83 
			 Strathclyde 109 
			 Tayside 5 
			   
			 Wales  
			 Gwent 919 
			 South Glamorgan 1,244 
			 West Glamorgan 16

Correspondence

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will place in the Library for each year since 1995 the average response time for providing a substantive answer to (a) hon. Member's correspondence, (b) correspondence from members of the public and (c) written parliamentary questions in the (i) House of Commons and (ii) House of Lords;
	(2)  if she will place in the Library for each year since 1995 the total number of (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the Public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords dealt with by her Department; what percentage took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I received almost 13,000 items of post in the last year. My Department aims to respond to all letters received within 10 working days.
	General information on the volumes of correspondence received across Whitehall and on overall performance is published by the Cabinet Office. Figures for 2000 were published on 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 32428W and on 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 45456W.
	My Department aims to answer all ordinary written parliamentary questions within five working days, and named day written parliamentary questions on the day named.
	I have answered 378 written parliamentary questions this session, providing substantive answers for 76 per cent. of them on time.

Business Recovery Fund

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many applications for grants were made under the business recovery fund; and how many have been allocated, for each Regional Development Agency in the last three years;
	(2)  how much money has been made available to provide grants under the business recovery fund; and what the total value of grants made has been allocated so far under the business recovery fund, for each Regional Development Agency.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	The business recovery fund has been in existence only since May this year as part of our response to the impact of foot and mouth disease on the rural economy. Discretion was given to each Regional Development Agency to use available funds flexibly and quickly to meet the specific needs of their own region. As a consequence information on numbers of applications is not available on any consistent basis. Information on the value of grants is given in the table.
	
		RDA allocationsdirect grants to business(6) -- All cash figures in  million
		
			  Allocation Approved for payment Number of applications approved Applications awaiting approval 
		
		
			 NWDA 6.6 6.0 1,906 90 
			 SWDA 9.2 8.4 775 0 
			 Yfwd 2.0 2.0 585 0 
			 AWM 4.0 3.3 335 150 
			 ONE 2.3 1.8 570 100 
			 EEDA 0.5 1.6 23 110 
			 SEEDA 1.0 0.6 93 88 
			 EMDA 1.4 1.3 95 385 
			  
			 Total 26.9 20.54 4,382 923 
		
	
	(6) 17 October 2001

PRIME MINISTER

Strategic Communications Unit

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what the cost was of running the Strategic Communications Unit in the financial year 200001.

Tony Blair: The total cost of running the Strategic Communications Unit for the financial year 200001 was 957,302. This includes the cost of developing and running the No. 10 website which now receives over four million hits a week.

Special Envoys

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the overseas missions undertaken on his behalf since 7 June by (a) Lord Levy and (b) the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), listing in each case (i) persons and places visited, (ii) the reason for the visits and (iii) the cost to public funds.

Tony Blair: Since 7 June, Lord Levy has travelled as my personal envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority from 10 to 13 July, and to Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Jordan from 30 September to 10 October. During his visits he met a range of senior figures including the Israeli Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Defence Minister, the President of the Palestinian Authority, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, King Abdullah and the Jordanian Foreign Minister. The purpose of these visits was to carry messages on my behalf to other leaders. Lord Levy received no remuneration and travels at his own expense. The FCO and diplomatic missions overseas provide him with practical support, the cost of which is not separately itemised.
	I have appointed my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) as Chairman of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group. He has not undertaken any missions on my behalf.

Special Envoys

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister in respect of visits abroad undertaken on his behalf by (a) Lord Levy and (b) right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), and if it is his policy to inform the Foreign Office of such visits in advance.

Tony Blair: When Lord Levy travels as my personal envoy, the FCO is informed and he is supported by FCO staff in London and at overseas diplomatic missions.
	In respect of my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have him today.

Regional Government

Tim Collins: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the allocation of ministerial responsibilities for aspects of regional Government.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 9 July, Official Report, column 408W.

HEALTH

Alcohol Strategy

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his alcohol strategy.

Hazel Blears: The broad timetable for the strategy is set out in the NHS Plan, which was published in July 2000. The plan said that the Department would be implementing the strategy by 2004. The Department expects to publish a consultation paper in due course.

Asylum Seekers

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide a screening service for asylum seekers arriving in Kent; and what finance is being made available.

John Hutton: holding answer 15 October 2001
	In Kent, as in the rest of the country, health authorities are responsible for providing health services, including screening, to asylum seekers. There are also national guidelines on what screening health authorities should offer their populations for tuberculosis (TB), and interim guidance on screening refugees and asylum seekers for TB has recently been circulated. In addition, the Department has commissioned the Refugee Council to provide best practice guidance on the health and social care needs (including screening needs) of asylum seekers dispersed through the National Asylum Support Service.
	More generally, there is provision in immigration legislation for immigration officers to refer any prospective entrant to the United Kingdom to a medical inspector at the port of entry for a medical examination. The Department is considering with the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, whether the current arrangements for controlling cases of imported infection need to be strengthened, and if so how.

Care Home Standards

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance the Government will provide on assessing the physical and mental fitness of (a) a registered provider, (b) a registered manager and (c) care home workers, as required in the Care Homes Regulations 2001; who will carry out the assessments; who will pay for these assessments; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The requirements for a report on the physical and mental health of registered persons and employees of care homes are set out in both the draft Care Homes Regulations and the National Care Standards Commission Registration Regulations. This is standard practice as required by many registration and inspection units throughout England currently.
	Reports for registered persons should be requested from a general medical practitioner. Where a general practitioner intends to charge for such a report it will be the responsibility of the person applying for the report to pay any fee. People working or seeking employment in a care home may seek a report from a GP but if the GP is unable or unwilling to provide a report they may sign a statement as to their physical and mental health.

Chiropodists and Podiatrists

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the training places for professions allied to medicine relate to chiropodists and podiatrists in each of the years from 2001 to 2004.

John Hutton: Between 1999 and 2001 around 340 chiropody/podiatry training places each year were commissioned.
	As part of the NHS Plan target to provide 4,450 more therapist and other key health professional training places each year by 2004 we would expect to see an increase in the number of chiropody/podiatry training places.
	Targets for the number of chiropody/podiatry training places for the remainder of the NHS Plan period will be set later in the year.

Mental Health

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which targets in the National Service Framework for Mental Health (a) have been met and (b) are yet to be met.

Jacqui Smith: The National Framework for Mental Health (NSF) is a 10 year programme to put in place new standards of care. The NSF sets out national standards for mental health, what they aim to achieve, how they should be developed and delivered and how to measure performance in every part of the country. The NHS Plan builds on the NSF by providing extra investment to fast-forward the NSF.
	So far the following targets have been achieved:
	Secure beds
	Almost 500 extra secure beds were in place by April 2001
	24-hour staffed beds
	320 extra 24-hour staffed beds were in place by April 2001
	Assertive Outreach Services
	170 new teams were established by April 2001.
	Over the forthcoming years the following targets will be achieved:
	Suicide and undetermined injury
	Reduce mortality rate from suicide and undetermined injury by at least 20 per cent. by 2010on target
	Primary Care
	1,000 new graduate primary care mental health workers employed to help general practitioners to benefit 300,000 people by 2004on target
	Community mental health staff
	5,000 more community mental health staff to benefit 500,000 patients (66 per cent. by 2003, 100 per cent. by 2004)on target
	Early Intervention Teams
	Establish 50 early intervention teams (45 per cent. by 2003, 100 per cent. by 2004)on target
	Early and intensive support
	7,500 young people who experience a first episode of psychosis receiving early and intense support by 2004on target
	Crisis Resolution
	Establish 335 crisis resolution teams (23 per cent. by 2003, 100 per cent. by 2004)on target
	All people in contact with specialist mental health services able to access crisis resolution services at any time by 2004on target
	No out of area admissions which are not clinically indicated by 2004on target
	Assertive Outreach Services
	Further 50 teams by 2003on target
	All who need assertive outreach services to receive them by 2003 (estimated 20,000)
	Women's Services
	Women only day centres in every health authority by 2004on target
	Prison In-reach
	5,000 prisoners receiving more comprehensive mental health services in prison by 2004on target
	All prisoners with severe mental illness in receipt of treatment by 2004on target
	No prisoner with serious mental illness to leave prison without a care plan and a care co-ordinator by 2004on target
	Carers
	700 more staff enabling support for 165,000 carers by 2004on target
	Reform of mental health legislation
	White Paper finalisedon target
	Reform of Mental Health Act 1983on target
	Personality Disorder
	140 additional new secure places for people with severe personality disorder by 2004on target
	75 additional specialist rehabilitation hostel places for people with severe personality disorder by 2004on target
	High secure hospitals
	Up to 400 patients to move from high secure hospitals to more appropriate accommodation by 2004on target.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress in implementation of the National Service Framework for Mental Health; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: From data collected on the delivery of the National Service Framework and NHS Plan targets we are able to build a picture of progress. This is achieved specifically through mapping of services, a process of self assessment by local implementation teams, financial mapping, analysis of the service and financial framework process and analysis of common information returns on mental health. Assessment of progress and financial mapping will be an annual occurrence.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the extra money for child and adolescent mental health services announced in February 1999 has so far been spent; and where and when.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Our strategy for development of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), initiated in 19992000, is ongoing with the aim of improving the overall quality and accessibility of local services for children and young people with mental health problems. In the three years ending 31 March 2002 we will have invested some 85 million across the national health service and local authorities, with each authority receiving funding. Health authorities will have been allocated 50 million and local authorities 35 million. The funding to local authorities includes 16 million for the 24 CAMHS innovation projects. These projects are piloting innovative approaches in the provision of mental health services for children and young people.
	An additional 10 million was scheduled in 200102 for health authorities. However in the Spending Review last year it was decided to place as much funding as possible, including the 10 million, into main health authority allocations. This was in response to concerns from the NHS and will provide the benefit to health authorities of being able to manage the totality of resources available to them. This will allow them to determine for themselves how to implement national priorities, of which CAMHS is one.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many secure mental health beds there were (a) in April 1997, (b) in April 2001 and (c) at the latest available date.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	In April 1997 there were 2,294 secure mental health beds. In April 2001, which is the latest available date, there were 3,584 secure mental health beds.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress in meeting the Public Service Agreement Target of reducing nationally the emergency psychiatric readmission rate; if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The following assessment of progress on the number of emergency psychiatric readmissions of patients aged 1664 within 90 days of discharge from the care of a psychiatric specialist as a percentage of such discharges is set out in the table.
	
		
			   199899 Total 19992000 Total 200001 Total 
		
		
			 Number of re-admissions within 90 days 15,461 14,875 14,068 
			 Total number of discharges 113,585 114,616 110,312 
			 Re-admission rate (percentage) 13.6 13.0 12.8 
		
	
	The table shows progress is being made and that the national milestone as stated in the Mental Health National Service Framework to reduce the rate of psychiatric emergency readmission's by April 2002, from 14.3 per cent. to 12.3 per cent. is on target to be achieved.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress in meeting his mental health target to reduce the 1997 death rate from suicide and undetermined injury; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The White Paper Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation (OHN) sets out a challenging target to reduce the death rate from suicide and undetermined injury by at least a fifth by the year 2010. OHN targets measure suicide rates using three-year pooled rates. The most recent data available are for 19982000 and indicate a small rise over the 199597 baseline. However, it is too early to assess progress in meeting the target as the most recent three-year pooled data still overlap the start of OHN, which was published in 1999.
	We are currently developing, under the direction of the National Director for Mental Health, Professor Louis Appleby, a coherent, national suicide prevention strategy to ensure that we are doing all we can to prevent suicide in pursuit of the Our Healthier Nation target.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis received early and intensive support in 200001; and if he will make a statement on progress against his target for 2004.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Information about the proportion of young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis who received early and intensive support in 200001 is not available centrally. The NHS Plan set a target that, by 2004, all young people who experience a first episode of psychosis will receive the early and intensive support they need. Fifty early intervention teams will be established by 2004 to provide this support and it is expected that 7,500 young people will benefit each year. During the current financial year the onus has been on local reviews of services and the establishment of robust plans to meet NHS Plan targets. Implementation of the target for early intervention teams will follow in 200203 and 200304. Progress on the development of plans is being monitored this autumn through a comprehensive review process.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women-only mental health day centres have been established under the NHS Plan.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	We have a target to put in place a women-only mental health day centre in every health authority by 2004. A considerable amount of development work is under way to support the delivery of high quality mental health services for women including the production of a national women's mental health strategy. We have as yet no details with regard to services in place although we are measuring progress toward targets with our service and financial mapping.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many early intervention mental health teams have been established.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The NHS Plan has set a target for 50 early intervention teams to be established by 2004 in order to provide treatment and active support in the community to young people who develop psychosis, such as schizophrenia. Child and adolescent mental health services will be participating with adult services in developing the new teams. This will help to reduce the problems that can occur at the interface between the services.
	During the current financial year the onus has been on local reviews of services and the establishment of robust plans to meet NHS Plan targets. Implementation of the target for early intervention teams will follow in 200203 and 200304. Progress on the development of plans is being monitored this autumn through a comprehensive review process.

Social Services (Client Information)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require social service authorities to request transfer of information from other authorities when clients move from area to area.

Jacqui Smith: The Department is currently consulting on guidance that includes the requirement that councils should liaise over the care of service users who move from one area to another to ensure continuity of care.
	Access to personal assessment information would need to be agreed with the service user, and would take account of common law confidentiality requirements and the provisions of the Data Protection Act. However, information on an individual may be shared by statutory agencies without the individual's consent where there is a sufficient public interest justification to do so, for example where failing to do so would put people at significant risk.

Community Care Assessments

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require social services authorities to meet targets for the completion of community care assessments.

Jacqui Smith: In current and forthcoming guidance on assessment, the Department emphasises that people should be told how long the assessment of their needs will take. The guidance also emphasises that assessment should be timely and kept in proportion to individuals' needs.
	There are no plans to set national targets on the completion of community care assessments for social services authorities.

Waiting Lists (Leicestershire)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on waiting lists for operations in each specialty in Leicestershire.

John Hutton: The table shows the waiting lists for elective admission by specialty in the Leicestershire health authority area as at 30 June 2001the latest published figures that are available:
	
		
			 Specialty Ordinary admissions Day cases 
		
		
			 General surgery 1,745 1,267 
			 Urology 263 678 
			 Trauma and Orthopaedics 1,738 869 
			 Ear, nose and Throat 1,746 262 
			 Ophthalmology 402 1,886 
			 Oral surgery 121 404 
			 Neurosurgery 24 1 
			 Plastic surgery 522 450 
			 Cardiothoracic surgery 360  
			 Paediatric surgery 66 173 
			 Accident and emergency  16 
			 Anaesthetics 221 256 
			 Pain management 1 177 
			 General medicine 20 253 
			 Gastroenterology  39 
			 Cardiology 239 360 
			 Dermatology  9 
			 Thoracic medicine  12 
			 Nephrology 1 8 
			 Neurology 20  
			 Paediatrics  31 
			 Gynaecology 569 440 
			 Mental Illness 19  
			  
			 Total(7) 8,077 7,591 
		
	
	(7) All specialties
	Source:
	Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England

Pain Control Clinics

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that pain control clinics are in place in every primary care trust area; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: We are committed to providing equity of access to health care and to reducing variations in the availability of National Health Service services. Patients with pain should have access to services which provide management programmes of proven effectiveness. Chronic pain services exist in 220 acute hospitals, 88 per cent. of acute hospitals in the United Kingdom. However, decisions about pain control clinics in primary care trust areas are to be made locally, based on the needs of the local population. In reviewing local provision account should be taken of the needs of both adults and children, and include patients with acute pain resulting from sudden illness or accident, as well as post-operative pain and chronic pain. A systematic review of pain relieving treatments was undertaken in 1997 through the health technology assessment programme and providers may also find this of use in planning local services.
	The Clinical Standards Advisory Group report, published in April 2000, shows many NHS trusts have developed excellent services, but we recognise that in some places more needs to be done to drive up standards. We expect the NHS to take full account of this report when reviewing local provision to meet the needs of communities.

MRI Scans

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reduce waiting times for MRI scans (a) in Gloucestershire and (b) nationally.

John Hutton: holding answer 18 October 2001
	Investment through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) and the NHS Plan will provide 86 magnetic resonance imaging scanners for the National Health Service by 2004. These scanners will support the accurate diagnosis and staging of cancer patients by increasing the number of scans that can be undertaken. The Gloucester Royal Infirmary has been awarded a MRI scanner under the NOF initiative. It is likely to reduce waiting times for MRI scans in Gloucestershire.
	The length of time which a patient might have to wait for a MRI scan is dependent on their clinical condition with priority given to emergency cases.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with rank and file health visitors on the proposals not to include health visitors in the title for the new Nursing and Midwifery Council.

John Hutton: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The Government are aware of the views of health visitors from their 1,200 responses to consultation on the Government's proposals. I am due to meet my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) with a delegation of health visitors shortly to discuss these.

National Institute for Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the budget in 200102 for the National Institute for Mental Health in England; and how much has been spent.

Jacqui Smith: The budget for the National Institute for Mental Health in 200102 is 400,000. None of this money has yet been spent.

Expenditure Statistics

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expenditure per head on health was in (a) Tamworth, (b) Telford, (c) Kidderminster and (d) Redditch in each year from April 1996 to April 2001.

John Hutton: The information is not available in the format requested. Data on expenditure on health per weighted head of population are available for health authority areas, not individual towns. The relevant health authorities are South Staffordshire health authority (Tamworth), Shropshire health authority (Telford) and Worcestershire health authority (Kidderminster and Redditch) and information for these health authorities is given in the table.
	Expenditure on health per weighted head of population for each relevant health authority, from 199697 to 200001, is shown in the table.
	
		Expenditure on health per weighted head of population for each relevant health authority from 199697 to 200001
		
			  
			  South Staffordshire Shropshire Worcestershire 
		
		
			 199697 593.40 582.08 602.45 
			 199798 580.71 575.19 641.55 
			 199899 606.59 610.33 678.65 
			 19992000 687.05 716.70 718.87 
			 200001 735.88 740.93 801.38 
		
	
	Note:
	Expenditure is taken from health authority annual accounts or summarisation forms which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in each year. The expenditure is the total spent on the purchase of healthcare by the health authority. The majority of general dental services for all five years and an element of drugs expenditure for 199798 and 199899 is not included in the health authority accounts and is separately accounted for.
	Source:
	Health authority audited accounts 199697 to 199899
	Health authority audited summarisation forms 19992000 and 200001
	Weighted population estimates for 199697 to 200001

Mr. Barrie Such

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress made in the case of Mr. Barrie Such, pursuant to the undertaking given in the Adjournment debate on 7 December 2000, Official Report, column 246, that the NHS executive regional office would monitor the implementation of the care plan and funding arrangements.

Jacqui Smith: I can confirm that, following the Adjournment debate in the House on 7 December 2000, agreement was reached between Worcestershire health authority and social services on the provision and funding of a 24 hour package of care for Mr. Such following his eventual discharge from hospital.
	Discussions have been taking place on viable options for providing Mr. Such and his family with a home in an appropriate setting. A decision has been reached and plans are currently being drawn up in consultation with Mrs. Such for a new property to be built. When those plans are agreed, the time scale for completion is estimated to be about four to five months
	I have requested that the health authority, social services and the district council in Worcestershire continue to work together to ensure a timely and satisfactory outcome for Mr. and Mrs. Such.

Solihull Hospital

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future status of the accident and emergency facilities at Solihull Hospital.

John Hutton: A service review group comprising representatives from the Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull national health service trust (teaching), primary care trust, health authority, community health council, patient carers and patient representatives is currently undertaking an options appraisal for the future of the accident and emergency department at Solihull Hospital. The group will report to Solihull health authority on its recommendations, with a view to the health authority then launching a public consultation on its preferred option. The review was originally due to report back by the end September, but this has now been extended until early in the New Year.

Primary Care Trusts

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review processes by which public consultation is undertaken on primary care trusts, and the reorganisation of health authorities.

John Hutton: holding answer 19 October 2001
	It is not proposed at this stage to review the processes of consultation.
	Legislation requires public consultation to be undertaken on the establishment of primary care trusts and new health authorities. The aim is that all consultation is open, transparent and inclusive, capturing the views of local stakeholders. While the regulations specify those who must be consulted, it allows for health authorities to consult a wider range of local bodies and individuals on the formation of primary care trusts.
	With regard to the proposed new health authorities, consultation on their boundaries commenced in September and will be completed at the end of November.

Assertive Outreach Scheme

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health crisis resolution teams and assertive outreach teams have been established; and how many people are receiving assertive outreach services.

Jacqui Smith: The latest information held centrally indicates that there were 35 crisis resolution teams in place as at October 2000. The NHS plan has set a target of having 335 crisis resolution teams established by 2004. Progress towards meeting this target is being monitored this autumn through a comprehensive review process.
	Returns received indicate that there were over 170 assertive outreach teams in place as at June 2001, and that around 9,000 people were receiving assertive outreach services. The NHS plan sets a target for a further 50 assertive outreach teams by 2004 so that everybody who requires assertive outreach, some 20,000 people, will be receiving these services.

GPs

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs there are in post in Leicestershire in the current financial year.

John Hutton: The number of general medical practitioners in Leicestershire health authority as at 30 September 2000 is set out in the table. September 2000 data are the latest information available: September 2001 data will be available at the end of January 2002.
	
		General medical practitioners in Leicestershire health authority as at 30 September 2000
		
			  Headcount 
		
		
			 All practitioners(8) 547 
			 Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)(9) 500 
		
	
	(8) All practitioners include UPEs, restricted principals, assistants, PMS others, GP registrars, salaried doctors (paragraph 52 SFA) and GP retainers.
	(9) UPEs include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Weighted Capitation (Leicestershire)

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the extra resources required to bring Leicestershire up to a 100 per cent. of its weighted capitation in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms.

John Hutton: Leicestershire health authority's distance from weighted capitation target for 200102 is 15 million in cash terms or 2.44 per cent. below target. For 200102 Leicestershire health authority received an allocation of 616 million, which is an increase of 49 million in cash terms or 8.57 per cent. The weighted capitation formula is used to set targets that inform allocations but the formula does not determine allocations.

Sexual Health

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will recommend the use in England of Pathways to Sexual Health, published by the Lothian Health Board;
	(2)  if he will recommend the use of Let's Talk About Sex by publicly funded organisations in England;
	(3)  if he will recommend the use of Taking Sex SeriouslyPractical Sex Education Activities For Young People by organisations in England which are funded by his Department.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 October 2001
	It is for local agencies and organisations to determine which resources or materials most effectively and appropriately support their work. If they are to be used within a school setting, then this should be in accordance with guidance on Sex and Relationship Education produced by the Department for Education and Skills. The guidance stresses the need for schools to ensure that their pupils are protected from any teaching or materials which are inappropriate, while having regard to the age and cultural background of the pupils concerned.

Mobile Telecommunications

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial provision has been made for the mobile telecommunications health research programme.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 October 2001
	The Stewart report on mobile phones and health made a recommendation that a substantial research programme should be set up under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel and financed by the mobile phone companies and the public sector. This programme has now been set up under the direction of an independent programme management committee. The total sum available for this programme is 7.36 million, the costs being shared 50:50 between Government and the mobile phone industry.

Mobile Telecommunications

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research projects will be undertaken by the mobile telecommunications health research programme.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 October 2001
	The Stewart report on mobile phones and health made a recommendation that a substantial research programme should be set up under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel and financed by the mobile phone companies and the public sector. This programme has been set up under the direction of an independent scientific management committee. The committee is currently assessing a range of research proposals including those that investigate dosimetry, physiology and epidemiology. The first group projects is expected to start in the next few weeks. When they are approved, the individual projects will be announced on the Department's web site at www.doh.gov.uk/mobilephones.

Hospital Waiting Times (Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area were waiting for inpatient treatment for (a) more than 18 months, (b) up to 18 months, (c) up to 15 months and (d) up to 12 months, in each month from 31 May until the latest available monthly figures.

John Hutton: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The information requested is given in the table.
	The number of patients waiting more than 18 months, up to 18 months, up to 15 months, and up to 12 months for in-patient treatment at Mid-Essex Hospital Services national health service trust on 31 May 2001 until the latest available monthly figures are:
	
		
			 2001  May June July August 
		
		
			 Number waiting over 18 months for inpatient treatment 0 0 0 0 
			 Number waiting less than 18 months for inpatient treatment 8,868 8,850 8,898 8,917 
			 Number waiting less than 15 months for inpatient treatment 8,676 8,674 8,723 8,733 
			 Number waiting less than 12 months for inpatient treatment 8,159 8,150 8,184 8,202 
		
	
	Source
	KHO7 quarterly return/monthly waiting list returns

Age-related Audits

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish for each NHS trust the results of the age-related audits required by the National Service Framework for Older People; and if she will list those trusts that have (a) submitted their audits to the regional office on time, (b) yet to submit and (c) were late to submit their accounts.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The date set by the National Service Framework for Older People for completion of the local age-related audit is October 2001. Information at regional and national level will be available later this year. Individual national health service trusts are expected to publish details of the policy reviews undertaken locally in their annual reports covering the current year.

Delayed Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1036W, on delayed discharges, for what reason his Department ceased to collect figures on the basis of age.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	We are continuing to collect figures on delayed discharges for over 75s as a sub-group of delays for all adult patients. The breakdown on reasons for delay are now collected for all ages to give a more comprehensive picture of the reasons for delayed discharges.

National Service Frameworks

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will ensure that voluntary organisations are funded to play a full part in the preparation of National Service Frameworks;
	(2)  if his Department ensures that consultees who are party to drawing up an National Service Framework are also consultees in respect of any related NICE guidance;
	(3)  how his Department ensures that work on National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance which overlap is co-ordinated.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Each National Service Framework is developed with the assistance of an external reference group (ERG) which brings together health professionals, service users and carers, health service managers, partner agencies, and other advocates. ERGs adopt an inclusive process to engage the full range of views. The ERGs advice is informed by the evidence base, including National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidance where available, and ERGs' advice have been sought on the development of NICE guidelines. The members of the ERG are reimbursed for travelling and expenses incurred while helping in the development of the National Service Framework. The Department supports the ERGs and manages and co-ordinates the overall process including co-ordination between NICE and NSFs.

Non-residential Services (Charging Guidance)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish guidance relating to charging for non-residential services; when the closing date for consultation on the draft guidance was; and when local authorities are expected to implement the guidance.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	We published draft guidance on fairer charging policies for non-residential social services on 3 January, and consultation ran until 30 March. We plan to issue final guidance later this year. This will include a time scale for implementation.

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will write to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam concerning the National Service Framework for Older People according to the undertaking given by the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), of 4 July 2001, Official Report, column 90WH.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 17 October 2001.

Nursing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the bonds set out in the guidance for free nursing care will be uprated annually.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Appendix 6 of the guide attached to HSC2001/17: LAC(2001)26 makes it clear that the amounts of the bands of nursing care will be reviewed after 12 months with a view to any changes becoming operative with effect from April 2003.

Neurology Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to establish the baseline (a) prevalence levels of neurological conditions and (b) position of services for people with neurological conditions; and if he will make a statement on the work to date on the National Service Framework on Neurological Conditions.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The Department has numerous information systems that help it to understand the picture of diseases including, for example, the Health Survey for England. This is complemented by academic research which provides more detailed prevalence information of people with neurological conditions. We have also asked voluntary organisations to submit any information they might have.
	One of the key tasks of the scoping process for the National Service Framework for Neurological and other Long-term conditions will be to establish the position of services particularly concentrating on areas where the need for service improvement is identified. We have established an analytical group to begin to assess the evidence and are also working closely with users, carers, professionals and voluntary organisations.

Community Care Services Grant

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  to what extent social services departments in receipt of the community care services grant are able to commit expenditure in subsequent years;
	(2)  if payment of the community care services grant will be conditional on local authorities participating in care trusts.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Consultation on the conditions of the grant will end on 24 October. No decisions have been made about allocations of the grant in 200203, but Ministers have made the commitment that no council will receive less in 200203 than it does in 200102.

Dementia Care Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce plans to speed up the diagnosis of dementia sufferers needing personal care.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People was published on 27 March this year. It sets, for the first time, new national standards of care for all older people, across all care settings. It focuses on those conditions that mainly affect older people, including dementia.
	Standard 7 of the NSF relates to mental health and will ensure that those older people who have mental health problems have access to integrated mental health services, provided by the National Health Service and councils, to ensure effective diagnosis, treatment and support, for them and for their carers.
	In particular it emphasises how an early and accurate diagnosis of dementia enables older people and those caring for them to understand what is happening to them and to access appropriate help, including treatment and personal care. This will require effective integrated specialist mental health services. The NHS Plan provides for an additional 85 old age psychiatrists to ensure a prompt and responsive diagnostic service across the country.
	In addition, we are streamlining the assessment process to ensure better and more consistent assessments. The single assessment process for older people will be implemented by local health bodies and councils from April 2002.
	The Department intends to issue detailed guidance on the single assessment process in November. It will ask professionals to work together to ensure assessments are centred on the views and circumstances of older people, and that they are accurate, timely, and proportionate to needs. It will ask professionals to share assessment information, subject to proper observance of confidentiality, rather than duplicate each other's assessments as often happens now.
	The single assessment should therefore ensure that following a diagnosis of dementia individuals receive the prompt provision of care to meet their needs.

Dementia Care Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specialist dementia care services in Coventry have been developed recently.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Coventry Healthcare national health service trust in conjunction with Coventry health authority and local primary care groups have agreed to make 180,000 available for instigation of a community-based service specifically for early onset dementia. The team will consist of medical, psychological and nursing staff and will offer advice and support to sufferers, their carers, and agencies and professionals in Coventry.
	The health authority has also confirmed its agreement to implement the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommendations regarding anti-dementia drugs from 1 April 2001. An additional drug budget of 250,000 has been made available for 200102 with access to drugs controlled by the consultant psychiatric team. Agreements are also in place with regard to future funding up to 200506. Additionally, in August 2001 a further 180,000 was agreed to fund a health team to support and monitor treatments of patients using anti-dementia drugs.
	The trust has initiated discussions with the Alzheimer's Disease Society, health and social services colleagues in Coventry and Warwickshire to further explore the potential for developing a hospital and community- residential element to the early onset dementia service.

Dementia Care Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent measures have been introduced to support the elderly suffering with dementia.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	It is important that older people with dementia have access to a full range of services that will meet their needs in whatever setting is most appropriate.
	The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People was published on 27 March this year. It sets, for the first time, new national standards of care for all older people, across all care settings. The NSF looks at conditions that mainly affect older people, including dementia.
	Standard 7 of the NSF relates to mental health and will ensure that those older people who have mental health problems have access to integrated mental health services, provided by the National Health Service and councils, to ensure effective diagnosis, treatment and support, for them and for their carers.
	The Care Standards Act 2000 will have a big impact on raising the quality of care for people with dementia in residential and nursing homes. From April 2002 all care homes will have to have a statement of purpose and be able to demonstrate that they can meet it. Homes catering for people with dementia will have to show that they have suitably trained staff, know, understand and apply the relevant specialist and clinical guidance, provide stimulation and leisure activities that are suited to the needs of people with dementia.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisal of anti-dementia drugs published in January 2001 will ensure that effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease are available on an equitable basis across the country.

Elderly People (Charitable Support)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance he has provided to charitable providers of housing, care and support for the elderly in the last year.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	For 200001 and 200102, grants totalling 3,733,000 were paid under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 to 54 organisations for projects concerned with housing, care, or support for older people. In some cases, the projects concern disabled people in general and are not limited to older people.

Summer Recess

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess.

Hazel Blears: During the summer recess period, 20 July to 14 October 2001, 129 press releases and 25 consultation documents were issued by the Department.

Consultants' Secretaries

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the provision of secretarial cover to hospital consultants during periods of absence by permanent secretarial staff.

John Hutton: It is the responsibility of each individual national health service trust to make all necessary arrangements for secretarial and administrative support. This includes the provision of secretarial cover to hospital consultants.

Care Standards (Young Adults)

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations have been made concerning the national care standards for younger adults.

Jacqui Smith: During the consultation period for the draft standards for Younger Adults and Adult placements the Department received 500 responses, which made 4,776 comments on specific issues within the standards.

Residential Homes

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make financial provision for owners of residential care homes to assist them in complying with the requirements of the Residential Care Act 2000.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The Department has no evidence to suggest that large numbers of care homes will be unable to meet the national standards. Many providers already meet or exceed the proposed standards and will have no reason to be concerned about them. None of the standards will be introduced until at least April 2002 and some of the more challenging standards will not be implemented until some time after that. Providers will be given realistic timescales in which to meet any new standards.
	The detail of contracting arrangements between local authorities and independent sector providers of care is a matter for local decision. The Department does not set or recommend rates at which local authorities contract with nursing and residential homes. We think it is important that local authorities are able to tailor contracts as necessary to specific local circumstances. In doing this we expect local authorities to take into account a range of provider costs such as implementing national standards.
	We are providing significant additional resources for social services. We have increased social services funding by 17.8 per cent. in real terms since 199697 and will be providing an extra 3.7 per cent. in real terms next year. This means that local authorities have the resources they need to purchase services at realistic prices.
	However, I do accept that some residential and nursing home owners are experiencing financial difficulties. That is why we established a strategic group to give greater direction to the commissioning of care for adults, in particular older people. The group has looked at the state of local commissioning arrangements and the impact they are having on both service users and providers. The members of the group include representatives of central and local government, the national health service, independent (private and voluntary) providers of health and social care, as well as housing. The group published an agreement, Building Capacity and Partnership in Care, on 9 October, which we shall expect local social services and health authorities to adopt. It will lead to improvements in the planning and commissioning of services in ways that bring confidence and stability to the whole system. We also announced a Government commitment of 300 million over two years to tackle delayed discharge.

Residential Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals have sold their homes since 1 May 1997 to fund their (a) residential home care and (b) residential nursing home care.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not available centrally.

Residential Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many residential nursing homes have closed since 1 May 1997; and how many beds have been lost;
	(2)  how many residential home beds (a) in the private sector and (b) owned by local authorities have been closed since 1 May 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Table 1 shows the number of residential care homes, the number of nursing homes and the number of beds within these homes in England on 31 March in each of the last four years. Table 2 shows the changes in the number of homes and places based on the information in table 1. These figures take account of new homes, those that closed and those that made changes to their registration status or extended their existing facilities. It is not possible to determine the precise number of homes that have closed, or the number of beds lost as a result of such closures, from this information.
	Information collected by health and social care consultants Laing and Buisson on the number of care homes, beds and closures in the independent sector in recent years is available in the company's publication, Market Survey 2001, published in July.
	
		 -- Table 1: Residential and nursing homes, places and registered beds, 1997 to 2000 as at 31 March England Rounded numbers
		
			  1997(10) 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Residential care homes(11) 24,500 24,900 24,800 24,800 
			 Residential care places in residential care homes. 338,100 347,900 345,100 345,600 
			 Of which: 
			 Places in independent sector homes(12) 272,300 283,900 286,000 290,100 
			 Places in LA staffed homes 65,800 64,000 59,000 55,500 
			 Nursing homes(13) 5,900 6,200 6,100 5,900 
			 Registered nursing beds in nursing homes 196,300 205,600 202,200 193,300 
		
	
	(10) This refers to data collected during the period 1 October 1997 to 31 March 1998 for nursing homes and registered beds. In subsequent years, data collection arrangements were changed and relate to figures pertaining to 31 March each year.
	(11) Includes dual registered homes which are also included in the total number of nursing homes. The residential care homes and nursing homes should not be added together.
	(12) Consists of voluntary, private, small homes and dual registered homes.
	(13) General and mental nursing homes, hospitals and clinics
	Source:
	Department of Health annual returns
	
		Table 2: Year-on-year change in the number of residential and nursing homes, places and registered beds, 1997 to 2000, as at 31 March -- England Rounded differences
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 
		
		
			 Residential care homes(14) +400 -100 Less than 50 
			 Residential care places in residential care homes. +9,800 -2,800 +500 
			 Of which:
			 Places in independent sector homes(15) +11,600 +2,100 +4,000 
			 Places in LA staffed homes -1,800 -4,900 -3,500 
			 Nursing homes(16) +300 -100 -200 
			 Registered nursing beds in nursing homes +9,300 -3,400 -8,800 
		
	
	(14) Includes dual registered homes which are also included in the total number of nursing homes. The residential care homes and nursing homes should not be added together.
	(15) Consists of Voluntary, private, small homes and dual registered homes.
	(16) General and mental nursing homes, hospitals and clinics
	Source:
	Department of Health annual returns

Residential Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals in each year since 1 May 1997 to the latest available date were living in (a) residential care homes and (b) residential nursing care homes; and in each category how many were (i) self-funding the fees, (ii) partially funding the fees and (iii) being funded wholly by the state.

Jacqui Smith: The information available centrally is in the table. The number of people who are resident in residential care homes and paying for their own care is not collected centrally. A survey conducted in June 2001 estimated that around 42,700 residents in general and mental nursing homes were paying wholly for their own care.
	
		Number(17) of places/registered beds in residential and nursing homes with local authority supported residents in these homes, 1997 to 2000, England (as at 31 March)
		
			   1997(18) 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Number of places in residential care homes(19) 338,100 347,900 345,100 345,600 
			 Number of LA supported residents in residential care homes(20) 170,300 176,500 181,200 186,800 
			 Number of registered beds in nursing homes(21) 196,300 205,600 202,200 193,300 
			 Number of LA supported residents in nursing homes 66,100 72,900 73,500 74,400 
		
	
	(17) Rounded numbers
	(18) Refers to the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997 for number of registered beds in nursing homes
	(19) Residential places in local authority staffed, voluntary, private, small and dual registered homes
	(20) Local authority supported residents in local authority staffed and independent residential care homes. A local authority supported resident is a resident whose fees are paid in part or in full by the local authority.
	(21) General and mental nursing homes including private hospitals and clinics
	Source:
	Department of Health returns

Residential Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of stay of a resident in an (a) residential care home and (b) residential nursing care home is in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Genetics and Insurance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will publish their response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee fifth report of Session 200001 on Genetics and Insurance.

Jacqui Smith: The Government's response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee fifth report on Genetics and Insurance is published today as Cm 5286 and copies have been placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Waste Incineration

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to reduce the proportion of waste disposed of by incineration over the next five years.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 19 July 2001
	Our priority is to meet the requirement of the landfill directive to divert biodegradable municipal waste away from landfill by maximising recycling and composting and minimising the need for incineration and landfill. In order to achieve this the Government have set tough statutory targets under best value for local authorities to double the amount of household waste recycled by 200304 and treble it by 200506, and will set further targets for later years.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the last case was of foot and mouth disease in the Longtown area; and when restrictions on farms in that area will be lifted.

Elliot Morley: The last confirmed case in the Longtown area of foot and mouth was 4 June. Infected Area restrictions were removed from the Longtown area with effect from midnight on 8 October.

Foot and Mouth

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's latest assessment is of the necessity to use vaccination in efforts to eradicate foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: The current advice of the Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Veterinary Officer is that the use of vaccination is not the most appropriate measure to eradicate the disease in present circumstances. The number of new cases continues to decline, and as at 18 October there have been no cases since 30 September. The use of vaccination could be reassessed if the disease trend changed significantly.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many businesses have (a) applied for and (b) received rates relief in relation to the economic impact of foot and mouth disease.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 October 2001
	Full information on the level of take up of hardship rate relief will not be available until local authorities submit their claims next year. However, the latest survey carried out by the Local Government Association shows that, as of 8 October, nearly 6,500 businesses have applied for hardship rate relief with nearly 3,000 of these applications being granted and just over 350 being rejected (data from the 127 local authorities that supplied all sets of information).

Foot and Mouth

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the removal of toxic ash from the Hernscott Hill foot and mouth incineration site in Northumberland has been completed; and what arrangements for monitoring of the site and consultation with local residents have been made.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 October 2001
	All visible ash has been removed from Hernscott Hill, Widdrington. Monitoring arrangements are in hand in co-operation with Castle Morpeth borough council and the private landowner to ensure that should there be any residues these are detected and removed. Regular meetings are held between DEFRA, local authorities and residents to hear residents' concerns and to appraise them in broad terms of activity on the site. The site will be returned to its original state, following agreement between DEFRA and the private landowner.

Foot and Mouth

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost to public funds of the foot and mouth disease outbreak is so far.

Elliot Morley: Expenditure on the foot and mouth disease outbreak by my Department currently stands at some 1.531 billion. Costings are being collected from other Government Departments, and we hope to be in a position to be able to provide such information soon.

Foot and Mouth

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will take steps to reduce the time taken to lift the D notice restrictions;
	(2)  if she will take steps to ensure that restrictions in protection zones in which all blood tests have proved negative are lifted immediately following inspections.

Elliot Morley: Our primary objective is to eradicate the disease. However, every effort is made to lift the three kilometre zones (the protection zones) as soon as possible after the fieldwork has been completed and negative blood tests have been confirmed.
	Where there are a number of infected premises in an area and protection zones overlap then it may be necessary to carry out all the testing required within a particular cluster of protection zones before any Form D restrictions can be lifted.

Foot and Mouth

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations have been made to the Governments of other countries which have suffered a foot and mouth outbreak in the last five years.

Elliot Morley: UK officials regularly discuss such matters with veterinary experts of other countries at the European Union Standing Veterinary Committee, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Office International Des Epizootics.

Foot and Mouth

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks concerning the control of foot and mouth disease involved in permitting a resumption of hunting with hounds.

Alun Michael: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Hunting with dogs is currently prohibited throughout England and Wales as a precaution against the spread of foot and mouth disease. Hunting with dogs takes a variety of forms, all of which pose different levels of foot and mouth disease risk and which therefore require different risk management measures. A veterinary risk assessment on the possible resumption of hunting in foot and mouth disease free counties has been prepared and is currently being considered by Ministers.

Departmental Responsibilities

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's responsibilities are in relation to land use, planning and management.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 October 2001
	My Department has wide-ranging responsibilities to ensure that land is managed and developed sustainably. The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has overall responsibility for policies on planning. DTLR consults DEFRA on environmental and rural aspects of the planning system, including on how these should be reflected in national planning policy guidance.
	DEFRA advises on key planning and related issues that involve farming and wider rural economy and environmental interests. DEFRA works with Regional Planning Bodies and other stakeholders on Regional Planning Guidance and local development plan policies. Consultation with DEFRA is governed by the terms of national planning guidance and a statutory right to consultation.

Sheep Strategy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government plan to publish their sheep strategy.

Elliot Morley: The Government have no plans to publish a separate strategy for the sheep sector at this stage. The independent Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, announced on 9 August by the Prime Minister, will be advising how we create a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food chain.

Supermarkets

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with supermarkets about their relationship with suppliers; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: There are regular discussions with the supermarkets on all aspects of the food chain. The issue of relations with suppliers was considered in detail. The issue was considered in detail by the Competition Commission in their report on the supply of groceries from multiple stores. One of the recommendations of that report was that a code of practice should be introduced to put relations between supermarkets and their suppliers on a clearer and more predictable basis. A draft code has been drawn up by the Office of Fair Trading in consultation with supermarkets and representatives of suppliers. This is currently being considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Incinerators

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what controls the Government have implemented on emissions from incinerators in the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Existing municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) are regulated by the Environment Agency under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Within the last three years the Government have implemented EC Directive 96/61 on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC). All new MSWIs must now obtain an IPPC permit before they can operate. Existing MSWIs must obtain the new form of permit by 31 August 2005.
	The Environment Agency has also recently varied the authorisations for existing MSWIs to reduce the dioxin emission limit (10 fold) to 0.1 ng/m3. This is ahead of the timetable required by the recently adopted Waste Incineration Directive.

Incinerators

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of levels of dioxin emissions from incinerators in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Environment Agency's Pollution Inventory is compiled from data submitted annually by operators of IPC-processes in England and Wales, including municipal solid waste incinerators. The level of dioxins and furans emitted from municipal solid waste incinerators in the year 2000 is recorded in this inventory as 1.1g ITEQ. This compares to a level of 413g ITEQ in 1995.

Municipal Waste

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much municipal waste has been collected in each year since 1996; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment the Government have made of the increase of annual municipal waste in the United Kingdom in the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Data are available for England and Wales for the last four years. The total amount of municipal waste collected is as follows:
	
		
			 Year Thousand tonnes 
		
		
			 199697 25,979 
			 199798 27,166 
			 199899 27,912 
			 19992000 29,332 
		
	
	The increase in municipal waste over this period is nearly 13 per cent. 200001 data are currently being collected from local authorities.

Municipal Waste

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of UK household waste was disposed of through landfill in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The latest available data for England and Wales show that 81 per cent. of municipal waste was disposed of through landfill in 19992000. Household waste is approximately 90 per cent. of municipal waste.
	Under the EU Landfill Directive, the UK must divert substantial quantities of waste away from landfill over the coming years. We have put in place a national strategy, 'Waste Strategy 2000', for managing our waste and resources more effectively and will be introducing a system of tradable landfill permits to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that goes to landfill. The Government have also set tough statutory performance standards for recycling and composting of household waste, requiring local authorities to double the amount recycled or composted within three years and nearly treble it within five years. The setting of these statutory targets is expected to lead to an increase in the availability of kerbside recycling.

Slaughtermen

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what are the qualifications and licensing arrangements required of (a) professional slaughtermen and (b) persons slaughtering animals in herds affected by foot and mouth disease; what training arrangements were in place for forces personnel engaged to slaughter animals during the foot and mouth crisis; and what (i) licensed and (ii) otherwise qualified professional supervision was in place for casual slaughtermen engaged during the foot and mouth crisis.

Elliot Morley: Requirements for the training and licensing of slaughterers are laid down in the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995. Everyone engaged in the slaughter or killing process must have the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the tasks humanely and efficiently in accordance with the regulations. Most slaughterers need to be licensed in accordance with Schedule 1 of the regulations, but there are a number of exemptions from this requirement.
	Members of the armed forces were trained before becoming involved in the foot and mouth cull, and were supervised by qualified veterinary surgeons. Outside of licensed slaughterhouses, the legislation is enforced by Veterinary Officers of the State Veterinary Service. In addition, the RSPCA had an open invitation to visit major culling sites and visited Great Orton several times.

Recycling

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of councils in the United Kingdom have separate recycling collections; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The latest available data for England and Wales for 19992000 show that local authorities operate a variety of collection schemes, through civic amenity sites, bring sites and kerbside collection. The percentages of local authorities that operate such schemes, over some or all of their area, for different materials are as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Paper and card 97 
			 Glass 97 
			 Compost(22) 43 
			 Scrap metal/white goods 55 
			 Textiles 90 
			 Cans(23) 87 
			 Plastics 31 
			 Other(24) 74 
		
	
	(22) Includes organic materials (kitchen and garden waste) collected for centralised composting schemes from households via kerbside schemes or taken by householders to civic amenity sites. Home composting is not included.
	(23) Includes ferrous and aluminium cans
	(24) Includes oils, batteries, aluminium foil, books and co-mingled collections

Recycling

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what measures the Government have taken to meet their target of recycling two thirds of all household waste by 2015; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps the Government have taken to encourage businesses (a) to recycle waste and (b) to use recycled materials in the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Waste Strategy 2000 sets a target to recycle or compost at least 33 per cent. (one third) of household waste by 2015. It also sets out targets for doubling the recycling and composting of household waste in three years and nearly tripling it in five years. We have underpinned these targets by setting statutory performance standards for each local authority to achieve by 200304 and 200506. In due course we will consider setting further Statutory Performance Standards for later years taking account of technological advances.
	In Spending Review 2000 we provided substantial financial support to local authorities to assist with delivering these targets including a substantial uplift in the relevant Standard Spending Assessment block, 140 million ring-fenced fund for waste and recycling; 40 million for the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP); and 220 million for Private Finance Initiative waste schemes. We expect that approximately 50 million of New Opportunities Fund moneys will also be available over the next two years to support community sector work on recycling.
	WRAP has been set up to promote sustainable waste management by removing barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling, and by working with businesses to create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products.
	We have also imposed measures under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended), requiring certain businesses which handle packaging to recover and recycle specified amounts of packaging waste each year based on the amount of packaging handled by their business.
	Packaging Regulations also include incentives for businesses to minimise the amount of packaging they use and businesses are being encouraged to look closely at the type of materials being used in the manufacture of their product and consider the benefits of using greater quantities of recyclate.
	The recovery and recycling targets for 2001 under the packaging Regulations are 56 per cent. for recovering and 18 per cent. for material-specific recycling of packaging waste. We are currently consulting on recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste in 2002.

Unadopted Sewers

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research she has commissioned into the scale of and problems associated with unadopted sewers.

Michael Meacher: A research contract will shortly be let to ascertain the extent and condition of unadopted sewers, identify any problems and produce costed solutions. It is expected to take up to 18 months.

MOX Plant

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the timing of the announcement of the approval for the MOX plant in Sellafield.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 18 October 2001
	Having considered all relevant information, including the responses to our public consultation which ended on 24 August, the Secretary of State for Health and I decided on 3 October that the manufacture of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel is justified, and announced it the same day.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase payments to contractors operating under the home energy efficiency scheme.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The home energy efficiency scheme is managed by Eastern HEES Ltd. in the East of England, and by the Eaga Partnership in the rest of England. The scheme managers are responsible for appointing contractors to work under the scheme, through open competition in accordance with UK public procurement rules and regulations.
	A number of these installer contracts are coming up for re-tender. The prices paid will depend on the results of the competition and it is possible that the contracts awarded will be at a higher price.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the maximum payment is per housing unit available to contractors operating the home energy efficiency scheme in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The home energy efficiency scheme (HEES) offers packages of insulation and heating improvements to those households most vulnerable to cold-related ill health in England. The maximum value of grant-funded work carried out on any single home under the scheme is 2,000. This level of grant is provided to those aged 60 years or more and in receipt of an income-related benefit.
	As fuel poverty is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many properties have benefited from the home energy efficiency scheme since June 2000; and what is the target number for the current year.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 18 October 2001
	During the period 1 June 2000 to 30 September 2001, 224,000 householders benefited from HEES in England. We expect 300,000 householders will benefit in the current financial year.

Agenda 21

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the impact of the introduction of Agenda 21 in the UK.

Michael Meacher: This country has been prominent in taking action on sustainable development since Agenda 21 was agreed at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. We produced our new Sustainable Development Strategy 'A better quality of life' in 1999, and the first annual report on the strategy earlier this year. In 1999 and 2000 we published reports setting out progress on Greening Government. Almost all local authorities prepared Local Agenda 21 strategies by the end of 2000, meeting a target set by the Prime Minister in 1997.

Renewable Energy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's policy towards the use of short rotation coppice/forestry in renewable energy.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 October 2001
	Energy crops and forest material have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development and the Government's climate change and renewable energy targets. We support the development of short rotation coppice in England through the Energy Crops Scheme and promote the use of forest material, working closely with developers of renewable energy projects.

Milk

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will made a statement on her Department's support for the generic campaign to support milk drinking; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of that campaign.

Elliot Morley: We are pleased that milk producers and processors have co-operated in jointly funding and overseeing 'The White Stuff', a generic promotion of milk. It is for milk producers and processors to assess the effectiveness of 'The White Stuff' campaign and decide how to proceed.

Condensing Boilers

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to promote the use of environmentally efficient condensing boilers

Michael Meacher: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The Government currently promote the use of energy efficient condensing boilers in a number of ways. The benefits of condensing boilers are likely to be attractive to energy suppliers in meeting their requirements under the Energy Efficiency Commitment for 200205. Under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (part of our strategy to combat fuel poverty) the new central heating systems provided use condensing boilers wherever possible. The amendments to the energy efficiency aspects of the Building Regulations, due to come into force next year, will require energy efficient boilers to be installed, both in new build and for replacements. The Energy Saving Trust and the Are you Doing Your Bit? campaigns also promote the use of energy efficient boilers in the domestic sector.

Meat Imports

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list by country of origin the meat imports into the United Kingdom over the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the exposure of the animals from which such meat came to foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The table shows the amounts of meat from foot and mouth disease susceptible animals imported into the UK for the 12 month period August 2000 to July 2001.
	Community legislation permits the importation of meat from certain countries where foot and mouth disease is present but only where the disease is restricted to specific areas. Imports are only permitted from parts of the country that are free of disease or under strict conditions that ensure the meat does not come from any animal that may have come in contact with foot and mouth disease before, during and after slaughter. These provisions are in line with the guidelines set out in the Office International des Epizooties International Animal Health Code 2001.
	All meat imported from third countries must be accompanied by veterinary certification. This must confirm that the meat is derived from animals which have been subjected to an ante-mortem inspection during the 24 hours prior to slaughter at which the animal showed no signs of foot and mouth disease.
	If there is an outbreak of disease likely to present a risk to human or animal health such as foot and mouth disease, Community legislation allows us to take appropriate safeguard action, which may include a ban on imports of meat from all, or parts, of that country. Recent examples include Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, and within the EU, France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
	
		UK imports of carcase meat of foot and mouth disease susceptible animals(25) August 2000-July 2001
		
			  Tonnes  
			 Description Beef Goat Pigmeat Sheepmeat Total 
		
		
			 Irish 82,098  28,845 1,901 112,844 
			 Republic  
			 Denmark 2,608  98,678 46 101,332 
			 New Zealand 500 9  82,525 83,035 
			 Netherlands 11,060 2 37,279 3,457 51,799 
			 Germany 7,108  24,274 1,024 32,407 
			 France 3,022  25,043 2,044 30,109 
			 Australia 6,375  0 11,043 17,418 
			 Brazil 16,21816,218 
			 Belgium 1,548 20 11,448 481 13,496 
			 Botswana 10,17210,172 
			 Zimbabwe 7,6387,638 
			 Namibia 6,8036,803 
			 Spain 1,598  2,831 1,557 5,986 
			 Uruguay 4,395   818 5,2136 
			 Italy 2,402  1,000 17 3,419 
			 USA 18  2,541  2,558 
			 Argentina 1,613   254 1,867 
			 South Africa 84 
			 Other 646  2,724 270 3,724 
			  
			 Grand total 165,907 31 234,664 105,436 506,038 
		
	
	(25) Cattle, sheep, pigs goats and reindeer. There were no imports of reindeer meat in 200001.

Hunting with Dogs

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the views of veterinary surgeons on hunting with hounds; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: No recent assessment has been made of the attitude of veterinary surgeons to hunting with dogs.

Lamb and Sheep Meat (Scotland)

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the EU Veterinary Standing Committee with regard to the lifting of the export ban on lamb and sheep meat from Scotland.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 19 October 2001
	Ministers and officials from DEFRA and the Scottish Executive have had extensive discussions with Commissioner Byrne's officials on this issue. Regular reports have been made to the EU Standing Veterinary Committee on progress towards eradication of foot and mouth from Great Britain. The SVC has recently agreed that exports of pigmeat may resume from certain counties from 22 October onwards. The SVC is expected to re-examine the possibility of a resumption of sheep meat exports at its 2 October meeting.

Royal Prerogative

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available.

Elliot Morley: Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised, nor could it be practicable to do so.

Wildlife Protection

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the measures she is taking to ensure the protection of wildlife.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 19 October 2001
	The protection of wildlife is fundamental to the Department's work. In the recent public consultation on a draft aim and objectives for the new Department, the proposed first objective is:
	To protect and improve the environment and conserve and enhance biodiversity, and to integrate these with other policies across Government and internationally. The Department has targets to bring 95 per cent. of Sites of Special Scientific Interest into favourable condition by 2010 and to reverse the decline in farmland birds by 2020.
	The conservation of wildlife is integral to the Department's policies across the range of its responsibilities, including the promotion of sustainable, modern and adaptable farming and the promotion of more sustainable management and use of natural resources such as energy, water, fisheries and forests. The Department is also active in a large range of specific policies and programmes to achieve its objectives including:
	Support for and implementation of the relevant international conventions to which the UK is a signatory, in particular the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. Bilateral assistance such as the Darwin initiative grant scheme helps developing countries implement their obligations under the Conventions.
	Grant in aid to English Nature, the Government's statutory nature conservation adviser, to finance major programmes on designated nature conservation sites, species protection and recovery, and improving the wider countryside and the marine environment for wildlife.
	Implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which introduced improved means of protection from Sites of Special Scientific Interest and measures to combat wildlife crime.
	Management and licensing the taking, capture, killing, keeping and trade of wildlife species, including through support for the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime and Liaison with the police and HM Customs and Excise. For example commercial trade in about 850 species is currently prohibited under CITES and trade in 30,000 other species is only permitted where we are satisfied that it will not be detrimental to wild populations.
	Full implementation of the European Wild Birds and Habitats Directives through the designation and conservation of special sites (Natura 2000). Implementation is being extended to include the marine environment to the 200-mile limit of national sovereignty.
	Co-ordinating the UK-wide partnership for implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan including the preparation of over 400 individual Habitat and Species Action Plans and the development of a Biodiversity Strategy for England, as announced in the Rural White Paper.
	Delivery of agri-environment schemes aimed at conserving and improving the landscape, wildlife and historic heritage of the countryside for which around 1 billion will be available over the seven years of the England Rural Development Programme.
	Policy reviews assessing future requirements for marine nature conservation and the management and control of non-native invasive species.
	Research to support and inform wildlife policies and programmes.

Public Bodies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she plans to take to enforce the Cabinet Office Guidance on Codes of Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 19 October 2001
	The latest edition of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies was published in July 2001 and immediately circulated to all teams sponsoring non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in my Department. It is mandatory for Government Departments to abide by this Code when making public appointments. The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) strictly monitors the observance of the Code.
	Also in July 2001, the Cabinet Office issued a best practice guide for Departments, entitled Making Public Appointments. This provides practical and helpful advice on the process of making public appointments. It supplements the OCPA Code and the Cabinet Office's own policy requirements, but does not create rules. It has been sent to all our NDPB sponsor teams.

Haskins Report

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she next plans to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the Haskins report.

Alun Michael: I meet my right hon. Friend frequently. The Haskins report is one item among many that we discuss.

Haskins Report

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the Haskins report, dated 2 October, was not published until 18 October.

Alun Michael: The report was published on the earliest date that was possible both for Lord Haskins to launch it and for me to respond to it.
	We were able to help readers by publishing on the same day the report of the Rural Task Force, which dealt with many connected issues.

Haskins Report

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the work of Lord Haskins in assessing and making recommendations about the impact of foot and mouth disease in Cumbria.

Alun Michael: holding answer 22 October 2001
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1301.

Pollution (Warehouse Fires)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the damage to the environment through (a) airborne pollution and (b) pollution of water courses resulting from fires in warehouse, distribution and storage premises since 1990.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The responsibility for estimating any impact from such events on the local air and water environment would be a matter for local authorities or the Environment Agency. Records of assessments are not held centrally.

Airports (Landing Charges)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will list the (a) landing charges for airliners at the main United Kingdom and international airports and (b) changes in Heathrow landing charges since BAA's privatisation.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department does not collect information on airport charges. Comparative information on international airport landing charges is available at BAA's website www.baa.co.uk/pdf/regulation.pdf which shows such information as one of its issues briefs. This ranks airport charges in descending order, and relative to that at Tokyo, for 40 airports. The figures are based on TRL's Index of Charges and the following is a selection from BAA's table.
	
		Comparison of international airport charges TRL index 2000
		
			  Airport Rank Index of airport charges 
		
		
			 Tokyo 1 100 
			 New YorkJFK 3 68 
			 Frankfurt 8 41 
			 ParisCDG 9 41 
			 Amsterdam 11 40 
			 LondonHeathrow 21 31 
			 Brussels 25 28 
			 Washington 27 27 
			 Hong Kong 28 27 
			 LondonGatwick 31 23 
			 Los Angeles 39 11 
		
	
	Note:
	BAA's commentary states that Heathrow's charges average a little over 5 per passenger, and those at Gatwick and Stansted average just over 4 per passenger.
	There are several elements to airport charges at Heathrow, of which the landing charge is only one. However, dividing the total revenue from airport charges by the total number of passengers to give the average revenue per passenger from airport charges, shows that since privatisation this has risen from 3.64 per passenger (equivalent to 6.00 at current prices) in 198687 to 5.23 in 200001 at Heathrow. In monetary terms, the change represents an increase of 44 per cent. but, after adjusting for inflation, the average revenue per passenger has fallen by 13 per cent. in real terms over the period.

Telecommunications Masts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to require planning permission to be sought for the erection of telecommunications masts less than 15 metres high; and if she will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 18 October 2001
	I have been asked to reply.
	We have no plans to require planning permission to be sought for the erection of telecommunications masts less than 15 metres high. Such masts do, however, require approval by local planning authorities under a simplified planning procedure known as prior approval.
	We have significantly improved the planning procedures and guidance for telecommunications mast development in order to:
	strengthen public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 metres and below so that they are the same as for planning applications;
	increase the time for an authority to deal with prior approval applications to 56 days;
	underline that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college; and
	increase fees to enable authorities to carry out full public consultation.
	These changes came into force on 22 August this year.

Water Safety

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department has tested and analysed the quality of (a) the holding lakes either side of Faggs Road and Princes Lake, Bedfont, (b) the River Crane and (c) drinking water supplied to London residents in the last 12 months.

Michael Meacher: No. The Environment Agency is responsible for testing and analysing water quality in rivers and lakes; and Water Companies in England and Wales carry out daily testing of supplies to consumers for compliance with regulatory standards. In the London area this duty is fulfilled by Thames Water Utilities, Sutton and East Surrey Water Company and Three Valleys Water Company.

Milk (Packaging Waste Directive)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the implications of the EU Packaging Waste Directive for doorstep milk deliveries and the use of milk bottles.

Michael Meacher: The EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste 94/62/EC, requires certain recovery and recycling targets to be met and encourages reuse of packaging. This includes drinks containers such as milk bottles. The UK Regulations implementing the Directive also encourage reuse by allowing obligated businesses to exclude from the calculation of their tonnage recovery and recycling obligation, tonnages of packaging that are being reused. Milk bottles are reused for between 10 and 40 trips, so this provision will apply to the proportion of milk bottles that are being reused.
	We expect a proposal from the European Commission next month for new targets for 2006. We are not aware that the proposed revisions will in any way threaten the UK doorstep milk delivery service.

GM Crops

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring of glufosinate ammonium is being carried out in water courses and supplies in the vicinity of GM crop trials.

Michael Meacher: Before glufosinate ammonium was authorised for use in GM crop trials, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) considered scientific data, which included data relevant to the risk of the compound entering water. The Government accepted the ACP's advice that winter use could be allowed in the trials (which are subject to a number of conditions including a limit on the treated area); the ACP did not advise that monitoring of water was needed.
	The ACP noted that the data provided did not rule out that one of the metabolites of glufosinate ammonium might locally exceed the 0.1 g/l standard set for drinking water. Although any exceedance would be localised and short-term, the ACP recommended that winter use should not be allowed on a commercial scale until the company had provided further data.
	The Pesticides Safety Directorate is working with the Environment Agency to develop arrangements that will ensure that all sites for experimental field use of pesticides are kept away from vulnerable ground waters. This is a precautionary step as existing restrictions on experimental use are designed to prevent damage to the environment irrespective of the location of the experimental site.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensions

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase the 25p addition for pensioners aged over 80.

Ian McCartney: This Government have done much to help older pensioners since we came to office. The free television licences for those aged over 75 is worth over 100 a year. The Winter Fuel Payment is worth 200 per household and the Minimum Income Guarantee has been increased this year to 92.15 a week for a single pensioner and 140.55 for a couple. Under this Government, older pensioners are sharing in rising prosperity. The 25p addition for pensioners aged over 80 was introduced in 1971 and, like all benefits, is kept under constant review.

Disability

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to enable the Disability Rights Commission to support disabled individuals wishing to sue under the Human Rights Act 1998.

Maria Eagle: As we made clear in Towards Inclusion, which set out our response to the Disability Rights Task Force's report, we are committed to considering giving to the Disability Rights Commission the power to assist individuals in proceedings under the Human Rights Act. This is also an issue for the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality. We therefore want to take a holistic approach and consider the matter in relation to all equality commissions, in the light of any recommendations the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights may make on whether there should be a Human Rights Commission.

Staff Training

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training was given to his Department's staff with regard to the regulations under the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations issued on 22 November 2000 before they came into effect.

Malcolm Wicks: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Andrew George, dated 22 October 2001
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what training was given to his Department's staff with regard to the regulations under the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations issued on 22 November 2000 before they came into effect.
	Two training events were developed to support the introduction of the Incapacity Benefit Reforms.
	A three and a half day course, aimed at all staff who administer and process claims to Incapacity Benefit, was designed and developed centrally and delivered locally through the District Office Training Officer network. This event examined in detail the changes affecting the treatment of Incapacity Benefit claims and provided practice cases to consolidate trainees' learning.
	A further event, a half-hour question and answer brief, again developed centrally, was delivered to all other staff by either local line management or training personnel. This product provided awareness of the Incapacity Benefit changes and was aimed at those staff without any direct involvement in the administration of Incapacity Benefit.
	In addition to the training events outlined above, the detailed changes to Incapacity Benefits were also conveyed to staff through benefit specific circulars.
	I hope this is helpful.

Disability Living Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what consultations he has had with groups representing people with disabilities regarding the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for the payment of the lower rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to reform the eligibility criteria for the payment of the lower rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what research his Department has examined relating to fear and anxiety in connection with the eligibility criteria for the payment of the lower rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance; and if he will place copies of such research in the Library.

Maria Eagle: Proposed regulations to clarify the circumstances in which fear or anxiety about walking out of doors without guidance or supervision from another person may satisfy the conditions of entitlement to the lower rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance are currently being considered by the Social Security Advisory Committee. The Committee recently consulted publicly and asked for comments on the draft regulations by 14 September. The Committee is considering the responses it has received and we await its report.
	A SSAC press release that included a copy of the draft regulations and an explanatory memorandum are available in the Library.
	The proposed regulations do not alter the basic qualifying criteria for the lower rate mobility component. People with severe physical and mental disabilities will still be able to qualify on the basis of those disabilities alone.
	The intention of the proposed regulations is to ensure that people who experience fear or anxiety when walking out of doors on unfamiliar routes without supervision or guidance are entitled to lower rate mobility component only if their ability to walk independently is directly affected by a severe mental disability. This is to ensure that the scope of the lower rate mobility component remains within the parameters set out when the component was first introduced.
	We are not aware of any available research which considers fear or anxiety in the context of eligibility for the lower rate mobility component.

Disability Discrimination Act

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to change the rules that exclude disabled people from protection under the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act 1995 if they have been dismissed from a company employing less than 15 employees; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to update the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Our proposals to amend the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) are set out in our response to the Disability Rights Task Force, Towards Inclusioncivil rights for disabled people, which was published on 5 March. Copies are held in the Library.
	We will end the exemption of small employers from the DDA's employment provisions in 2004.

Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess.

Nick Brown: The number of press notices issued during the summer recess is in the table.
	
		
			   July August September October 
		
		
			 National 15 35 37 11 
			 Regional 12 44 29 4 
		
	
	Eight consultation documents were issued.

Stakeholder Pensions

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what action has been taken since 8 October against employers who have not made a stakeholder pension scheme available to their employees;
	(2)  against how many employers action has been taken since 8 October for failure to make a stakeholder pension available to their employees;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of employers required to make stakeholder pensions available to their staff who have not yet done so.

Ian McCartney: We estimate that there are between 350,000 and 400,000 employers who need to designate a stakeholder pension scheme for their employees. The latest available figures show that around 147,000 employers had designated a scheme by the end of August 2001. Reports from the pensions industry indicate a late surge of designation activity in September and early October leading up to the 8 October designation deadline.
	The regulation of compliance with the stakeholder pension terms and conditions is a matter for the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra). At 19 October Opra had received 211 reports of alleged non-compliance with the requirement on employers to offer their work force access to a stakeholder pension scheme. It will make contact with each employer to provide education material and guidance, and to establish the facts of the case.
	If Opra's inquiries indicate that the employer has failed to comply, Opra will send out a statement of facts to which the employer can add any relevant mitigating factors. An agreed statement of facts will then be placed for determination before a committee of the Opra board. The board will then decide if a breach of the legislation has occurred, and if so, what penalty is to be imposed.

Social Security Legislation

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to what extent discretion may be exercised by those charged with taking decisions on the application of the social security legislation such that not only the facts of a particular case may be taken into account, but general circumstances; and under what powers he grants such discretion.

Malcolm Wicks: In the application of social security legislation to social security benefits, decision makers make their decision by considering all the evidence and applying the law, including any relevant case law, to the facts of the case. Discretion does not feature in the decision making process in determining claims and applications for benefit other than in relation to the discretionary social fund. The powers for that Scheme are found in the Social Security Contribution and Benefits Act 1992, the Social Security Administration Act 1992, and in the directions issued by the Secretary of State.
	Decisions affecting the administration of benefit, such as suspending payment of benefit where a doubt as to entitlement arises and the making of interim payments where administrative processes are delayed are subject to a certain degree of discretion, but only within the constraints of the legislation. The powers are to be found in the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and the Social Security Act 1998 respectively.

Child Support

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the service offered to child support claimants by the Office of the Independent Case Examiner; and if he will made a statement;
	(2)  what the backlog of child support cases to be examined by the Independent Case Examiner is;
	(3)  what the budget is for the office of the Independent Case Examiner for child support cases in the current financial year;
	(4)  what the average waiting time was before a child support case is examined by the Independent Case Examiner in the last three months;
	(5)  if he will make a statement on the delays experienced by child support claimants in having cases examined by the Independent Care Examiner;
	(6)  what plans he has to recruit staff to the office of the Independent Case Examiner for child support cases.

Malcolm Wicks: The budget for the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) was increased in the current financial year to 1,684,311.00.
	Recently, the number of investigative staff has increased from 25 to 42 and there are plans to appoint two further staff to support the new ICE.
	The time between a case being received by the ICE and bringing it into action was, on average, 23 weeks for the three-month period ending in September 2001. There are currently 114 such cases awaiting action.
	The ICE shares our concerns about the length of time it has taken to deal with cases in the past. A recent review of working practices has led to changes in case processing methods. This, together with the additional staff and financial resources already made available, will enable cases to be dealt with more efficiently. The delays currently experienced by parents awaiting action on their case will be reduced.

Cold Weather Payments Scheme

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will announce the outcome of the annual review of the cold weather payments scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Following advice from the Meteorological Office, the annual review of the cold weather payments scheme has now been completed. Amending regulations were laid on 11 October and will come into force on 1 November, in time for the beginning of the winter period.
	In addition to the amendments necessary due to Royal Mail postcode changes, a new weather station, Cassley, has been introduced to provide data for the scheme following Meteorological Office advice.
	Cold Weather Payments are separate from, and in addition to, Winter Fuel Payments, which are paid to eligible people from age 60.

Elderly People's Homes

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many local authority elderly people's homes have closed since the introduction of the Care Standards Act 2000.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The Care Standards Act will require the National Care Standards Commission to register and inspect local authority care homes for the first time from 1 April 2002. As this legislation has not yet been implemented there should not have been any impact on local authority homes. The Care Standards Act will regard local authority homes as existing homes for purposes of compliance with national minimum standards. This means that local authorities will have until 2007 to comply with the room size and shared room standards. This longer lead in time was set in order to avoid any closures in care homes once the National Care Standards Commission begins to apply the standards. It allows local authorities sufficient time to comply with the standards.

WALES

Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess.

Paul Murphy: Following is the information requested:
	(a) 20
	(b) None.

Royal Prerogative

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available.

Paul Murphy: Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised, nor would it be practicable to do so.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Devolved Administrations

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department giving evidence to (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) Welsh Assembly and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly Committees; and to what categories of document she gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) Welsh Assembly, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select Committees.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 100304W.

Sports Tests

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many unannounced tests taken on premises not owned by a professional football club have been undertaken in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: All tests for sports in the UK are unannounced tests, that are collected at short or no-notice to the individual athlete, whether collected in competition or out of competition. For team sports such as football, testing is arranged by collecting samples at squad training sessions or after a match which ensures that players are subject to the same procedures as they would be for an out of competition test.
	Testing will always take place on football premises, whether a club ground, training venue, or academy. Because of the ease of access to football players it has not been necessary to instigate testing at players' homes.
	
		Number of tests
		
			  In competition Out of competition 
		
		
			 199697 63 415 
			 199798 57 460 
			 199899 69 470 
			 19992000 133 928 
			 200001 97 919

Sports Tests

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many erythropoietin and human growth hormone tests have been undertaken in the last three years by Sport England; if the method of conducting such tests in England is the same as that used by Fina in Sydney; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: As testing for erythropoietin and growth hormone is very much at its infancy the level of testing for these substances has been confined to research and limited screening, making the data regarding test numbers of limited value. Methods have been refined since the protocols introduced at the Sydney Olympics, different methods and protocols are adopted by different sports and the purpose of testing can vary. UK Sport is closely monitoring the different testing systems in order that any national testing programme that would include erythropoietin and growth hormone, particularly if it will be based on blood testing, has integrity and is legally robust.

Sports Tests

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tests for banned substances have been undertaken on footballers playing in the (a) Premier League and (b) Football League in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: The anti-doping programmes for the football governing bodies in the UK are delivered through the national anti-doping organisation UK Sport. UK Sport monitors the type and level of testing.
	For the Football Association, the nature of promotion and relegation within the Football League and Premiership means that it is difficult to present meaningful and accurate figures that separate the Premier League and the Football League testing over the last five years. Teams may have been in numerous different divisions during that period, individual players may have moved clubs or been included in testing of international competitions or squads. Furthermore, it is not in the interests of an effective testing programme to reveal the testing plan for any sport and therefore the figures are represented below as a total.
	
		
			 Year Total number of tests for the FA 
		
		
			 199697 478 
			 199798 517 
			 199899 539 
			 19992000 1,061 
			 200001 1,016 
		
	
	The above totals include testing across all divisions of the Football League and Premiership and include testing at women's football and FA Conference football as well as FA Vase testing. Also included in the programme is the testing of national squads (male and female) and target testing through punitive action and that performed at the request of clubs. The programme covers all possible periods of training and competition for an athlete, as testing can take place on any day of the week.
	To explain the significant level of testing for the Football Association programmes, it may be helpful to point out that for 19992000 and 200001 they comprise over one sixth of the total tests conducted within the UK Sport testing programme.

Sports Tests

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she commissioned a review of blood tests for the drugs erythropoietin and human growth hormone; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: UK Sport conducts the testing programme for sports in the UK, presently the body fluid used for testing is urine. No formal review of blood testing has been commissioned for the detection of erythropoietin or human growth hormone. The introduction of blood testing to sport is quite recent. The testing protocols are still being revised to ensure that they are effective.
	Blood testing took place at the World Cycling Championships in Manchester in 2000, this testing was part of the medical check on the cyclist and measured haematocrit. Blood screening was also carried out at the London Marathon this year as part of a research project to consider the operational issues and effectiveness of EPO testing, more recently blood tests were also carried out at the World Half Marathon in Bristol. As research into detection continues it is possible that blood tests may be replaced by urine tests for the detection to erythropoietin. Presently research into growth hormone has been limited, although Professor Peter Sonkson at St. Thomas' Hospital had made significant advances, this work is on-going in other countries with financial support from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Rowing

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to meet representatives of the Amateur Rowing Association to discuss their plans for the new training centre at Caversham.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet representatives of the Amateur Rowing Association to discuss plans for the new training centre at Caversham.

Sport England

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the funds available to Sport England to support voluntary sector sports clubs over the next five years.

Richard Caborn: Sport England estimates that it will distribute approximately 1 billion over the next five years from the Lottery Sports Fund, of which over two thirds will go to community projects, many of which involve voluntary sector sports clubs. The amount distributed will be dependent on the amount generated by the National Lottery.
	Exchequer funding for Sport England has been set at 43.025 million in 20012002, 53.275 million in 20022003, and 78.275 million in 20032004. Sport England will allocate grants from its exchequer income to governing bodies of sport, who can invest in the development of clubs, community sports programmes and volunteers.
	In addition, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget Statement, the Government will shortly be consulting on proposals to introduce relief from some taxes for those amateur sports clubs which play a role in their community. This will give further assistance to the volunteers who are the backbone of these clubs and encourage more young people to volunteer their services in support of such clubs.

Athletics Funding

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Sports Aid Foundation grant responsible for the funding of elite athletics is to be curtailed by Sport England.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 19 October 2001
	Sport England is continuing to provide funding to the Sports Aid Foundation for this financial year with an award of up to 250,000. Future funding is under discussion.

Media Ownership

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to reform the existing rules on media ownership.

Tessa Jowell: I will announce later today that my Department will be engaging in a consultation exercise to determine the best way to regulate media ownership. A paper will be published shortly for two months formal consultation. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament and will be available on the Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk. Having considered the responses, we will publish our proposals in the draft Communications Bill next year. There will then be a further, three month period of consultation.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Regional Government

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he last met the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss proposals for the reform of regional government.

Nick Raynsford: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State frequently meets my right hon Friend the Chancellor, and other ministerial colleagues, to discuss a range of issues, including regional government.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will indicate the expected annual rate of return for investment of the infrastructure companies in London Underground over the next 15 years.

John Spellar: The Government's plans for a publicly run, privately built London Underground will deliver 13 billion of investment over the next 15 years.
	London Underground is currently negotiating the contracts to deliver this investment. To estimate what the private sector's rate of return might be while these negotiations are still ongoing would undermine London Underground's commercial position and jeopardise its ability to deliver best value.

Biofuels

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will allocate substantial resources over the next two years to develop clean renewable biofuels for road transport.

David Jamieson: Budget 2001 announced a new duty rate for biodiesel from Budget 2002 of 20p per litre below the rate for ultra low sulphur diesel. It also announced duty exemptions or reductions for pilot projects, lasting up to five years, to establish and assess the benefits of novel road fuels, including ethanol and biogas. The Chancellor will announce the first pilot projects granted duty concessions in the pre-Budget report.

West Coast Main Line

George Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the latest estimate by Railtrack of the upgrade of the west coast main line; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: First, I would like to reassure my hon. Friend that the west coast main line upgrade will not be put at risk by Railtrack going into administration. The Government remain committed to providing a revitalised rail network in the UK, and the upgrade of the west coast main line is an integral part of that commitment. Work on the west coast main line upgrade will continue, and we are discussing with the administrators and the Strategic Rail Authority the best way of carrying it forward, without prejudice to the outcome of the public inquiries into specific elements of the project.

Local Government

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recent discussions he has had with representatives of local government on improving local services.

Alan Whitehead: My Department has frequent discussions with representatives of local government about improving local services and other matters. Such discussions will be particularly useful in helping us develop the forthcoming local government White Paper.

Local Government

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with local authority associations on the formula for allocating local government finance.

Alan Whitehead: I have not had any recent discussions with the Local Government Association on this issue. However, I have met representatives of local government special interest groups, and the LGA attend regular working groups with my officials on formula reform. The most recent of these was on the 4 October this year.

Local Government

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with representatives of local government on improving local services.

Alan Whitehead: My Department has frequent discussions with representatives of local government about improving local services and other matters. Such discussions will be particularly useful in helping us develop the forthcoming local government White Paper.

Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of people in local authority paid bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

Sally Keeble: We have significantly increased money for housing and targeted new affordable housing in areas of shortage. We have also established a bed-and-breakfast unit. Over the next two years the unit will work with partners to introduce measures to reduce the need to place families in B and B.

Bus Services

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve bus services to disadvantaged communities in rural areas.

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve bus services to disadvantaged communities in urban areas.

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve bus services to disadvantaged communities in rural areas.

Liz Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve bus services to disadvantaged communities in urban areas.

Sally Keeble: The new powers in the Transport Act 2000 will improve bus services throughout the country by raising standards and improving access to services. Furthermore, increased funding for our rural bus grant schemes and the new Urban Bus Challenge will directly assist disadvantaged communities by improving transport links.

Bus Services

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much subsidy is provided to bus services in west Kent.

Sally Keeble: Local authorities are responsible for decisions on bus subsidy within their area. However, I understand Kent county council's subsidy on bus services in west Kent is currently 2.88 million (gross) per year. This includes services supported under the Government's Rural Bus Grant Subsidy scheme. All local bus services also receive fuel duty rebate from my Department.

Road Safety

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on speed management on the roads.

David Jamieson: The Road Safety Strategy, published last year, set challenging new targets to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and the measures required to achieve them. These include better speed management through engineering, education and enforcement.

Road Safety

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to improve road safety.

David Jamieson: The Government published a comprehensive road safety strategy, Tomorrow's roadssafer for everyone, in March 2001 and, at the same time, set challenging targets for reducing road deaths and serious injuries in Great Britain by 2010. We are making solid progress on all fronts. Our latest quarterly report will be posted on the Department's website soon.
	As part of the ongoing implementation of the Road Safety Strategy, the following are examples of recent activities:
	The THINK! road safety publicity campaign has included action on speed, drink-drive, seat-belts, and child safety, including the successful Hedgehogs advertisements.
	A national scheme for child pedestrian training in schools has been launched and the first tranche of 38 authorities to receive funding was announced in September.
	The pilot safety camera funding arrangement which started in eight partnership areas has been extended nationally and seven new partnerships have recently been set up. We expect the scheme to cover most areas over the next two years.
	Road Safety Good Practice Guidelines were published in June to assist local highway authorities in their efforts to reduce casualties and meet their local target.
	The Government will be consulting on various measures to improve the safety of novice drivers through a more structured approach to learning to drive.

Passenger Rail Franchising

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on passenger rail franchising.

David Jamieson: On 16 July we issued a draft statement of franchising policy for consultation with key stakeholders. Over 60 responses were received. We will publish a final statement in due course.

Rent Restructuring

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his proposals for rent restructuring.

Sally Keeble: We are committed to the reforms to social rents that are set out in the December 2000 policy statement, Quality and Choice: A decent home for allthe way forward for housing.
	Unlike the current structure of social rents, which is confusing and unfair to tenants, the reforms will lead to all social tenants facing rents that reflect size, location and condition. Tenants will have a choice between paying a lower rent on a less attractive property or a higher rent on a more attractive property. Rents will be based upon a coherent approach and remain affordable, at well below market levels.
	Social landlords should aim to begin reforming their rents in 200203 and to complete the process over a 10-year period. Landlords are expected to ensure that the changes in rents as a result of the reforms are no more than 2 per week in any one year above the normal inflation-linked increase.

Local Transport

Mike Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on local transport plans.

Sally Keeble: Local transport plans are a major step forward for integrated planning of transport improvements at local level. We have doubled the amount of money available to support the very wide range of schemes that authorities have proposed. We are currently looking at authorities' reports on their progress and will make further announcements in December.

Road Noise

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the introduction of quieter motorway surfaces.

David Jamieson: Last week we announced criteria for prioritising the surfacing of concrete trunk roads with quieter material. The four criteria that have been adopted are:
	Wherever possible the application of quieter surfaces will fit in with normal maintenance needs;
	Priority will be given to those sites where treatment would benefit the greatest number of people;
	Works will be carried out in such a way as to minimise disruption to general public and users of network;
	Priority will be given to roads, opened since June 1988, where actual noise levels have turned out to be significantly higher than predicted at the time of the Public Inquiry.
	The list of schemes that satisfy the first criterion and are planned for the following three years (200203, 200304 and 200405) together with those that are planned for 200102 were announced on 17 October 2001.
	The Highways Agency is currently identifying additional schemes that satisfy the second and third criteria and could be added to this list. The Agency has also identified 17 roads with concrete surfaces that have been opened since June 1988 and has instigated a programme of noise surveys to identify those that satisfy the fourth criterion. The list of these 17 roads was also given in the announcement of 17 October.

Automatic Train Protection

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards installing automatic train protection across the rail network.

David Jamieson: Automatic train protection is already installed on the Great Western main line (London to Bristol), Heathrow Express and the Chiltern line. It is being installed as part of the upgrade of the west coast main line and the channel tunnel rail link. Installation of the train protection and warning system across the rail network will be completed by the end of 2003.
	The Government expect to receive advice next spring from the Health and Safety Commission on taking forward the recommendations from the joint inquiry on train protection chaired by Professor Uff and Lord Cullen.

Rail Franchise (Wales)

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the single rail franchise for Wales.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority has proposed the creation of a single franchise for Wales. It is considering this alongside the other options for delivering benefits to rail passengers on Welsh routes. An announcement will be made in due course.

Key Worker Homes

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the provision of homes for key workers.

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps are being taken to provide homes for key workers.

Sally Keeble: Our Starter Home Initiative and the Housing Corporation's programme will help 11,000 key workers to buy homes in high cost areas over the next three years. We are also reviewing planning guidance on affordable housing, including the scope for providing more key worker housing within new developments.

London Underground (Northern Line)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans there are to improve services on the Northern line.

David Jamieson: Over recent years there has been enormous improvement on the Northern line. In the last five years, 330 million has been invested in the Northern line stations, tunnels and service, plus a further 400 million of private investment to provide 106 new trains. This investment has already delivered a faster, more reliable train service, eight station modernisations (with three more in progress), 6km of new track, increased security, and more Customer Care Assistants. The percentage of schedule operated reached a record of 97 per cent. in 200001well above the network-wide performance. As a result the Northern line is now one of London Underground's (LU) top three performing lines.
	Customers are noticing the improvements: Customer Satisfaction Surveys (CSS) show increases in the last five years in overall satisfaction with the Northern line service from 75 per cent. to 78 per cent. However, LU is continually looking to improve customer experience further. The plans for a publicly run, privately built Tube will ensure millions of pounds of substantial investment on the Northern line. Central to these improvements will be the installation of a brand new signalling system. This will allow over 25 per cent. more trains to run in the central area. In addition over 25 miles of track will be replaced in the first seven years of the modernisation contracts. This investment will build on the improvements already made and guarantee better services for years to come.

East Coast Main Line

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many occasions in (a) 2001 (b) 2000 and (c) 1999 services on the east coast main line have been disrupted owing to collapse or other failure of the overhead power cables; and what average length of delay has been caused to passenger services as a result.

David Jamieson: The following lists from Railtrack show the number of overhead line failures attributable to Railtrack and the train operators respectively in 1999, 2000 and 2001:
	Minutes delay to ECML passenger services due to overhead line problems period 11 (January) 1999 to end of period 6 (mid September 2001
	
		Overhead line (excluding emergency speed restrictions) -- Overhead line emergency speed restrictions
		
			 Railtrack attributable 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Total minutes delay 15,812 20,037 16,445 
			 Number of incidents 143 111 80 
			 Average delay 111 181 206 
			 Percentage of all delays on ECML 5.4 3.0 2.9 
			 Total minutes delay 3,516 4,000 1,352 
			 Number of incidents 14 23 20 
			 Average delay 251 174 68 
		
	
	
		Pantograph
		
			 TOC attributable 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Total minutes delay (26) 387 16,445 
			 Number of incidents (26) 5 80 
			 Average delay (26) 77 206 
			 Percentage of delays on ECML (26) 0.2 2.9 
		
	
	(26) Data relating to these were not collected until 2000.

Elected Mayors

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on introducing directly elected mayors in London boroughs.

Alan Whitehead: Our policy for London boroughs, as for other local authorities, is that local people should be able to elect a Mayor to lead their council where they so choose, and that people should not be denied the opportunity to make that choice. As stated in the Government's Urban White Paper Our towns and cities: the futureCm. 4911, November 2000our belief is that international experience suggests that directly elected mayors are often the best option to provide the leadership that larger towns and cities need.

Railway Interoperability

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the (a) timetable for and (b) cost implications of meeting European regulations on railway interoperability.

David Jamieson: Following consultation in May-July this year, we are revising the draft Regulations to implement directive 96/48/EC of 23 July 1996 on the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system. We currently expect that the final regulations will be made and then come into force by early next year. The draft Regulatory Impact Assessment included in the consultation document indicated that the estimated cost to UK businesses was 45 million (net present value at 2000 prices) of which 15 million would be incurred in the next three years, plus some smaller-scale costs for conformity assessment. There are also potential benefits, which are difficult to quantify, in terms of the provision of more competitive rail services which would benefit freight customers and passengers and attract more traffic to rail, yielding environmental benefits.
	Directive 2001/16/EC of 19 March 2001 on the interoperability of the trans-European Conventional rail system is required to be implemented by 20 April 2003. An assessment of the costs and benefits of the implementation of this directive is not yet available.

Speed Signs

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement about the rules which prevent repeater 30 mph signs from being used in 30 mph zones.

David Jamieson: Repeater signs are prohibited on roads with the urban 30mph national speed limit (restricted roads). Here the presence of street lighting is used to indicate the limit. The prohibition is the result of case law which makes it difficult to gain convictions for speeding if some restricted roads and not others have repeater signs.
	The DTLR is due to review speed limit signing early next year. This will look at the question of repeaters on restricted roads.

Detrunking

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to allocate specific funds for North Yorkshire county council to detrunk the roads; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency has been and is having regular liaison meetings with North Yorkshire county council, most recently on 11 October, to discuss detrunking. At present, negotiations are progressing well and my Department has offered to make over 1.1 million available to the council for maintenance of those trunk roads to be detrunked in the county. Orders are currently being drafted and the majority should be published before the end of the calendar year.

Local Government Funding

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's review of local government funding.

Alan Whitehead: Following last year's consultation on local government finance we have been working with local government and other stakeholders in developing proposals for reform. The Local Government White Paper is due to be published later this year and will include a daughter document detailing our financial proposals. We have already announced that changes following the review of the revenue grant distribution system will take effect in April 2003.

PFI Road Schemes

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 2001, Official Report, column 203W, on PFI road schemes, what the total points awarded is as a percentage of total that could be awarded; what percentage of projects had points awarded; and what the five main reasons were for awarding of points.

David Jamieson: There is no limit to the number of penalty points that can be awarded on the Department's PFI trunk road projects. Penalty points are issued when it is appropriate to do so. Points have been awarded on 87.5 per cent. (7 of 8) of the projects. The five main reasons for the award of penalty points on the Department's DBFO contracts are: testing of construction materials, traffic management, public safety during construction, management of the construction process and road maintenance.

Night Flights

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of controls on night noise at UK airports.

David Jamieson: Controls on aircraft noise at night may be imposed voluntarily by the airport operator, in consultation with those affected. They may be subject of informal agreement, for example, with the relevant airport consultative committee, or of enforceable obligations under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or they may be the subject of planning conditions. At airports designated for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, controls may be set under that power: at present, only Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are so designated.
	In the consultation paper, Control of noise from civil aircraft, published last year, we also proposed that the Secretary of State be given a new power to require a noise amelioration scheme to be made and agreed with an appropriate local authority to address particular local issues. Responses to that consultation are being analysed and I hope to announce the outcome shortly.

Airport Security

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what funding his Department has made available for research into improving airport security in the last year; and what criteria are used to assess bids for such funding.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 19 October 2001, Official Report, column 1366W.

Mobile Phones (Motorists)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on motoring offences and the use of hand-held mobile phones.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 October 2001
	As the Highway Code makes clear, drivers should never use hand-held mobile phones while driving. Using a hands-free phone is also distracting and drivers should always find a safe place to stop when using any type of phone. Drivers who use phones irresponsibly may be prosecuted for failing to have proper control of their vehicle. This offence carries a maximum fine of 2,500. It can also be an offence for employers to require employees to use mobile phones while driving.
	Drivers may also be prosecuted for careless or inconsiderate driving or even dangerous driving. The penalties for these offences include endorsement and possible disqualification from driving. We therefore share the view of the police that current legislation provides sufficient powers to prosecute drivers who use mobile phones or any other in-vehicle devices, or carry out other activities that may distract their attention from the road. However, as stated in the Road Safety Strategy Tomorrow's roadssafer for everyone, the Government will keep under review the need for new legislation.

Railtrack

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what meetings he held to discuss alternatives to putting Railtrack plc into administration with (a) Railtrack and (b) financial institutions.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 October 2001
	My right hon. Friend had a number of meetings with advisers and others before taking his decision to petition for Railway administration.

Railtrack

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library his assessment of the financial position of Railtrack plc which led to the application for an administration order under section 59 of the Railways Act 1993.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 October 2001
	Copies of the bundle of High court documents relating to the railway administration order of 7 October have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Railtrack

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the structure and funding of the company limited by guarantee which he will propose should take over Railtrack plc's role as network operator.

Stephen Byers: It is ultimately for the administrator to assess and make recommendations on proposals for how Railtrack's railway assets are transferred out of administration as a going concern. I will have to approve any such transfer under schedule 7 to the Railways Act 1993. As recent press coverage has made clear, there is every possibility that there may be more than one proposal before the administrator. The Government welcome this. At the same time however, it would be irresponsible of us to do nothing and leave it to others to work up a viable successor company to Railtrack plc. We are therefore developing what we would regard as an attractive successor vehicle. We will put a proposal to the administrator for a company limited by guarantee (CLG) to take over Railtrack plc's railway assets and its role as Network Operator.
	A CLG would be a private sector company run on purely commercial lines but without shareholders and consequently without the need to pay dividends in return for equity funding. Profits from the company would be re-invested in the network. The CLG structure could do much to address the current problems of the industry and could be one way of facilitating increased vertical integration with the possibility of individual TOCs playing a greater role in the maintenance of specific areas of infrastructure, where this was advantageous and appropriate. Any such vertical integration would need to include measures to protect the interests of other infrastructure users.
	We anticipate that the board of the CLG would comprise 12 to 15 executive and non-executive directors. The executive directors would include a CEO, and engineering, finance, safety and commercial directors. The non-executive directors could include a chairman, one director nominated by the SRA, one director appointed after consultation with both the TOCs and FOCs, and up to seven other independent non-executive directors. As is the case with all companies, the directors would owe their first duty to the CLG itself.
	This would be a highly professional board, tightly focused on delivering a quality rail network fit for the 21st century, remunerated and incentivised accordingly, and with corporate governance structures comparable to that of a traditional plc. In its early years the company would clearly face a number of key challenges: maintaining very high standards of safety on the railway; retaining the confidence of customers, employees and contractors; diagnosing the cultural and structural problems of the company and planning the best way of overcoming them.
	We are confident that incentive packages can be devised which would be comparable with those for similar roles elsewhere in the private sector and which would ensure that the CLG recruited and retained the very best people. Incentives would be based initially on safety, meeting financial and efficiency targets, and providing a quality service to customers.
	Instead of shareholders, a CLG has members. The SRA would be the founder member of this CLG and we anticipate that the majority of the other members would come from the private sector. Individuals drawn from private sector companies with a direct stake in the railways, other interests including passenger groups and employees, and the SRA (or its successor) could all be possible members. Financial interests and construction companies could also be included.
	Under this structure the members would have a governance role equivalent to that of shareholders but would have no additional powers. They would be well placed to ensure the high performance and full accountability of the board.
	For funding purposes the CLG would have the same sources of revenue as Railtrack had: property income, track access charges and grant. Some 90 per cent. of the company's income would therefore be covered by stable long-term contracts. Revisions to these contracts, for example to reflect any changes to the regulatory regime, would be subject to independent regulation in respect of the fair price to be paid for the outputs Government wish to purchase.
	The CLG would not need equity to raise debt finance. The company would have the existing debt from Railtrack transferred to it and would be able to borrow further from the debt markets to the extent necessary. The cost of this borrowing would depend on the company's credit rating and under the proposals we are currently developing we would expect the CLG to have a solid investment-grade (ie at least BBB) credit rating. We anticipate that in practice lenders would view the company as a very low credit risk and a sound basis for their investment.
	The 'cushion' between the risk of poor financial performance and debt providers that equity would provide under the standard plc model would come from two main sources. First, we would expect to put in place an arrangement by which the company could access a standby, subordinated loan facility. This facility would be enshrined in a contract, providing explicit support in specified circumstances up to a predetermined limit. It would be capped. It would not amount to a Government guarantee of debt, but the repayment of this facility would be 'last in the queue' of creditors for repayment. The possible value of this facility would be determined once the administrator has a better understanding of Railtrack plc's true financial position.
	Secondly, although the company would not be distributing profits in the form of dividends, it would earn a surplus over direct costs. This would be sufficient over time to build up a significant reserve. Together, the company's reserves and the explicit loan facility, would mean that the CLG would have access to sufficient funds to cover foreseeable circumstances.
	Under the CLG structure revenues would go further than they would have done with Railtrack. The cost of capital would be lower, there would be no dividends and the company would be able to prioritise cashflows in favour of lenders. In addition the company would operate with much lower risks than Railtrack, concentrating on operating and maintaining the infrastructure as well as undertaking small-scale renewals. The CLG would not undertake major new projects with all their attendant risks of cost overrun. As we announced in April this year, we anticipate that projects such as these, like the east coast main line upgrade, will henceforward be undertaken by special purpose vehicles. These are likely to be bespoke joint venture companies financed by a combination of Government grant and private sector debt and equity.
	A CLG company structure could be combined with a different, more streamlined, regulatory regime than the one under which the industry has had to labour to date and this would help to underpin its credit rating. As stated, transparent independent economic regulation would continue to be an element in the regulatory regime.
	There may well be other viable options for the administrator to consider, and we will give any transfer scheme put to us full consideration. Nevertheless, we are confident that the CLG structure we are proposing, along with the associated regulatory changes, would:
	produce a focused, professional, private sector company committed to maintaining and improving the rail network;
	retain the ability to raise significant private sector investment in the railways at reasonable cost;
	rid the industry of the previous tensions between the need to generate short-term increases in share price and the long-term needs of the network;
	give those with a stake in our railway infrastructure an input into how that infrastructure is operated and maintained;
	allow us to deliver our 10-year plan commitment of some 30 billion of public expenditure on the railways but with much improved value for money;
	play its role in levering in the matching 34 billion of private sector investment identified in the 10-year plan;
	put an end, once and for all, to the divisions all too apparent in the industry when the network was under Railtrack's stewardship.

Railtrack

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice he has received regarding the value of the first phase of CTRL to Railtrack Group plc.

David Jamieson: holding answer 22 October 2001
	We will be working with Railtrack and London and Continental Railways Ltd. over the next few weeks to consider valuation issues.

Abandoned Vehicles

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his review of policies relating to abandoned vehicles is expected to report.

David Jamieson: holding answer 19 October 2001
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1318W.

Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess.

Alan Whitehead: The total number of (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents issued by DTLR (C) during the summer recess (20 July 2001 to 15 October 2001) is as follows:
	(a) 110
	(b) 15.

Standard Spending Assessment

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the standard spending assessment for highways and transport per kilometre of (a) principal and (b) non- principal road in each shire county in England in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: A table showing the standard spending assessment for highway maintenance per kilometre of principal and non-principal road in each shire county in England is as follows. The highway maintenance SSA is determined mainly by an authority's length of roads together with the average traffic flow for that authority.
	
		
			   Highway Maintenance SSA per km  
			 Local authority  Principal roads Non-principal roads 
		
		
			 Cornwall 4,319 3,308 
			 Cumbria 4,690 3,446 
			 Gloucestershire 5,054 3,950 
			 Hertfordshire 12,007 8,548 
			 Lincolnshire 4,774 3,260 
			 Norfolk 5,177 3,848 
			 Northamptonshire 8,253 6,536 
			 Northumberland 5,084 3,563 
			 Oxfordshire 6,533 5,499 
			 Somerset 4,759 3,502 
			 Suffolk 5,564 3,999 
			 Surrey 12,318 9,105 
			 Warwickshire 6,392 4,807 
			 West Sussex 8,444 6,513 
			 North Yorkshire 5,226 3,598 
			 Bedfordshire 8,301 6,612 
			 Buckinghamshire 7,478 5,992 
			 Derbyshire 7,542 5,101 
			 Dorset 4,621 3,827 
			 Durham 6,866 5,197 
			 East Sussex 7,381 5,384 
			 Hampshire 7,339 5,718 
			 Leicestershire 6,811 5,683 
			 Staffordshire 7,419 5,137 
			 Wiltshire 5,337 4,269 
			 Cambridgeshire 6,483 5,412 
			 Cheshire 6,636 5,109 
			 Devon 4,387 3,142 
			 Essex 9,739 7,685 
			 Kent 8,053 5,661 
			 Lancashire 8,386 6,010 
			 Nottinghamshire 7,999 6,308 
			 Shropshire 4,663 3,265 
			 Worcestershire 6,441 4,930 
			 Isle of Wight Council 6,840 4,718 
		
	
	It is not possible to provide a similar table for the other transport elements (concessionary fares and bus support outside London) included in the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services block as these elements are not separately identifiable within this block.

Terminal 5

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what studies have been made in the last five years of the effect of the proposed Terminal 5 at Heathrow on flooding in the area.

Sally Keeble: The Terminal 5 Inquiry Inspector heard and received evidence during the inquiry on drainage and flooding issues, including the potential flood risk from Terminal 5. The Inspector's report is currently being considered together with the results of the recent consultation on BAA's revised proposals for the diversion of two rivers around the proposed Terminal 5 site and other post-inquiry representations.

Civil Aviation Authority

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has appointed a new chairman to the Civil Aviation Authority; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: Following an open competition in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointment's guidance, the Government have appointed Sir Roy McNulty to the post of Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority. Sir Roy succeeds Sir Malcolm Field, who retired from the authority on 16 September.
	Sir Roy's appointment is for three years. For the first six months, he will work three days per week at a salary of 90,640 per year. Thereafter, he will work two days per week at a salary of 60,427 per year. The appointment is pensionable and, with the consent of the Treasury, an employer contribution will be made to Sir Roy's personal pension of up to 20 per cent. of his actual salary in respect of this appointment. Additional member contributions of 4 per cent. of actual salary will also be payable. As this is a personal pension, the details of the arrangement are a matter for Sir Roy and his pension provider.
	Sir Malcolm Field made a substantial contribution to the CAA during his term of office, not least in taking the CAA through the establishment of the public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. and the subsequent reorganisation of the CAA itself into a specialist regulatory body. Sir Roy faces the future challenges of establishing the CAA as the UK's aviation regulator; of ensuring that the CAA continues to promote, in an efficient and cost-effective way, high standards of safety in all aspects of civil aviation; of bedding in the regulatory framework for the provision of air traffic services, and of maintaining good communications with Parliament, the aviation sector both in the UK and abroad, and the public. The Government are confident of Sir Roy's ability and commitment to fulfilling these expectations.
	I have written to Sir Roy, giving him guidance on the aims and strategic direction which the Government wish him to pursue during his term of office. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

Central Railway Project

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the Strategic Rail Authority's report on the Central Railway project.

David Jamieson: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The Strategic Rail Authority does not intend to publish its high level review or the consultants' report which informed that review on Central Railways' proposals. It will, however, be advising Ministers and is giving consideration to publishing an Executive Summary of the consultants' report.

Strategic Rail Authority

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he plans to announce the successor to Sir Alistair Morton as Chairman of the SRA.

David Jamieson: holding answer 22 October 2001
	We expect to make an announcement shortly.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Libel Laws

Norman Baker: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the compatibility of the libel laws and Articles 6 and 10 of the Human Rights Convention.

Rosie Winterton: The Government believe that the law of libel is consistent with Article 6 (right to a fair trial) and Article 10 (right to freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
	It is the task of the courts to apply and develop the law of libel in a manner consistent with the convention rights. They are also under a duty themselves to act compatibly with these rights, as public authorities under the Human Rights Act 1988, which was introduced by this Government. Additionally, they are under a duty, under section 12 of the Act, to have particular regard to the importance of the convention right of freedom of expression, if they are considering whether to grant any relief which would affect the exercise of that right.

Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department during the summer recess.

Rosie Winterton: During the summer recess period (21 July to 15 October 2001 inclusive) my Department issued 83 press notices and six consultation papers. All press notices and public consultation papers are published on the Lord Chancellor's Department website:www.lcd.gov.uk.

Children Act

John Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will review the Children Act 1989 to grant automatic parental responsibility status to unmarried fathers; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Government recognise the wide range of relationships outside marriage and that increasing numbers of children are being born to unmarried couples. The Adoption and Children Bill, as drafted, introduced on 19 October 2001, will have the effect of amending the Children Act to allow unmarried fathers who jointly register a child's birth with the mother to acquire parental responsibility without further formality. The new provisions will not apply retrospectively. Information will be made available to assist parents to understand the implications of joint registration.

Sarwar v. Alam

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the implications of Sarwar v. Alam for funding arrangements of accident cases.

Rosie Winterton: The findings of the Court of Appeal in Sarwar v. Alam are consistent with the Government's policy that reasonable after the event insurance premiums reasonably incurred are recoverable items.

HMS Thetis

Frank Field: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the Admiralty and Secretariat case papers relating to the loss of HM Submarine Thetis, reference 3817, 1939, Appointment of Public Tribunal of Inquiry: various papers as brief for Treasury Solicitor including findings of Board of Inquiry under Commander in Chief 5488 vol. 1; 3818, 1939, reports of salvage and life saving services by Rear Admiral (Submarines) and others, 5488, vol. 2; 3819, 1939, Tribunal of Inquiry: minutes days 15, 5488; vol. 3; 3820, 1939, Tribunal of Inquiry: minutes days 610, 5488; vol. 3; 3821, 1939, Tribunal of Inquiry: minutes days 1116, 5488, vol 5 and 3822, 1939, Tribunal of Inquiry: minutes days 1720, 5488, vol 6.

Rosie Winterton: The papers in question form part of the national archive and are held by the Public Record Office at Kew. They are freely available for inspection there. Details of opening hours, catalogue references and copying services are given on the PRO website at http://www.pro.gov.uk. Because of the substantial nature of the documents in question, placing copies in the Library of the House would incur disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

Impounded Goods

Llew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the operation of the appeals procedure used by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in respect of the impounding of goods and transport vehicles deemed by customs officials to be in breach of the law governing imports into the United Kingdom; and how many staff are available to HM Customs and Excise to review appeals made against seizure of property and vehicles.

Paul Boateng: All of Customs enforcement action is subject to legal appeal and challenge. The legality of any seizure can be challenged in the magistrates court. In addition, customs decisions not to restore vehicles or goods which have been seized can be appealed in the first instance to a customs review officer and then to the independent VAT and Duties Tribunal. Customs deploy approximately 60 staff years to deal with appeals and reviews.

Institutional Property Market

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to develop the securitisation of the institutional property market.

Ruth Kelly: Securitisation is used to raise capital for a variety of sectors. Its development is led by market practitioners and their customers. The Government's objectives include securing an innovative, fair dealing, competitive and efficient market in financial services, as described in the Treasury's most recent departmental report (Cm 5116).

Money Laundering

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which London banks were found by the FSA to have handled funds stolen from Nigeria by General Sami Abacha; and which banks were criticised for lax money laundering controls.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 15 October 2001
	The Banking Act 1987 restricts the FSA's ability to make its findings public. Under the new Financial Services and Markets Act, which comes into force on 1 December, the FSA will have wider powers to disclose this information.

Pension Policies

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the implications of the Equitable Life situation on his policy towards the regulation of with-profits pension policies.

Ruth Kelly: This is an issue which the inquiry being undertaken by Lord Penrose may wish to look at.

Suspicious Financial Transactions

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many referrals relating to suspicious financial transactions have been referred to NCIS in each year since 1997; and how many prosecutions have resulted from these referrals in each year.

Ruth Kelly: Since 1997 the Economic Crime Unit at NCIS has received the following numbers of suspicious transaction reports:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 14,148 
			 1998 14,129 
			 1999 14,500 
			 2000 18,408 
			 January to September 2001 19,981 
		
	
	Suspicious transaction reports are a vital part of NCIS and other law enforcement agencies intelligence gathering operations and the broader fight against financial crime. However, suspicious transaction reports may be only one small part of a complex investigation that ultimately leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals and the confiscation of assets. Suspicious transaction reports can provide new information and intelligence that can substantially move an investigation forward as well as providing an invaluable insight into the presence or whereabouts of assets for later confiscation. On occasions they may also simply provide confirmation of information already known to the investigators. This means, therefore, that isolating prosecutions that were the result of suspicious transaction reports from those that were not could not be achieved without disproportionate costs.

Article IV Reports

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the policy of the Government to publish the UK's article IV reports to the IMF in future.

Ruth Kelly: As we said in our Annual Report to Parliament, The UK and the IMF 19992000, the Government are committed to publishing IMF Article IV reports on the UK.
	In August 2000, following a successful pilot project, the Executive Board of the IMF adopted a policy of voluntary publication of Article IV staff reports. The UK had participated in the pilot project, authorising publication of our 1999 Article IV report at the earliest opportunity. The UK's 2000 Article IV was published in February 2001, shortly after its conclusion. The Government believe that publication is an important step in enhancing the transparency and credibility of IMF surveillance and will continue to publish the UK's reports in the future. We will also continue to encourage other IMF member countries to do likewise.

Bank Disclosures

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he will take to ensure disclosure by the banking sector of their lending patterns in under-invested communities; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: In the November 2000 Pre-Budget Report and the Budget 2001 the Government stated that they were encouraging banks to disclose details of their individual lending activities in disadvantaged communities on a voluntary basis, and that this improved flow of information should help to identify barriers to and opportunities for growth. The Government also said that they would look at the obligations on banks in the contents of requirements placed on the sector more widely.

Working Hours

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department made towards achieving a declining trend in excessive hours worked over the years 1999 and 2000.

Ruth Kelly: Information for 1999 and 2000 shows a small reduction in the number of hours worked in excess of conditioned hours for those staff working the most hours, measured against the baseline for the Public Service Agreement target. The information for the period January to August 2001 shows a marked reduction in the numbers of staff working in excess of conditioned hours in general.

Sudden Death Syndrome

Michael Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of people who die each year from sudden death syndrome.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Foster, dated 23 October 2001
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for the latest estimate of the number of people who die each year from sudden death syndrome (8862)
	In 2000, there were 34 instantaneous deaths with cause unknown, code 798.1 in the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for people aged 1 and over in England and Wales.
	For those aged under 1, an analysis of figures on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) for 19962000 was published in Health Statistics Quarterly 11 in August 2001. This analysis showed a provisional number of 243 deaths mentioning SIDS in 2000.

Aid (Natural Disasters)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for financial aid for natural disasters in the UK have been made to the EU in each of the last five years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested is not held centrally. Decisions to seek financing from the European Union are taken by Departments on an individual basis.

Abu Qatada

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what countries have sought the freezing of assets in the UK held by Abu Qatada; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 requires states to freeze the assets of entities and individuals who are suspected of committing, or posing a significant risk of committing, or providing material support for, acts of terrorism. In accordance with the resolution the Bank of England issued a press notice on Friday 12 October 2001 listing individuals and entities suspected of being involved in terrorist activities. The name Abu Qatada appears on this list.

General Abacha

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures the Government are taking in response to the allegations of money laundering by General Abacha, relating to the use of banks for which the UK has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Following the Divisional Court's ruling of 18 October, the SFO will be able to provide evidence answering the Nigerian and Swiss requests for assistance.
	An FSA task force is now monitoring seven banks' actions to remedy inadequate money laundering controls. Under the Financial Services and Markets Act the FSA will have wider powers to disclose information and to prosecute breaches of the money laundering regulations.
	The Proceeds of Crime Bill, introduced on 18 November, will further strengthen the UK's anti-money laundering defences.

Guaranteed Annuities

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to ensure that the full record of exchanges between the Government Auditor, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Treasury on the subject of guaranteed annuities, and particularly in relation to Equitable Life, are being made available for examination by the Penrose public inquiry.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 18 October 2001
	Lord Penrose will have full access to all the information he requires.

Aggregates Tax

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT he forecasts will be raised by the imposition of the aggregates tax in the first full year of its operation.

Paul Boateng: No such estimate is available.

Aggregates Tax

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of how much is forecast to be raised by the aggregates tax in its first full year from (a) low specification aggregates, (b) virgin aggregates and (c) recycled aggregates.

Paul Boateng: Forecasts of tax revenues are published each March in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR) and in the autumn in the pre-Budget report. Forecasts of aggregates levy revenues are not broken down by type of aggregate. Recycled aggregates are exempt from the levy.

Aggregates Tax

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact which the aggregates tax will have on the cost of housing construction;
	(2)  what will be the cost of the aggregates tax to the rail industry in its first full year of operation.

Paul Boateng: No such estimates have been made.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total impact so far on UK carbon dioxide emissions of the reduction in VAT on domestic supplies of fuel and power from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent.

Paul Boateng: The annual figure was set out in Table 6.2 of the Government's Financial Statement and Budget Report published in March 2001, which shows the latest estimates of the environmental impact of measures introduced in recent Budgets.

EU Tax Companies

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those EU countries which operate taxes broadly comparable to (a) the aggregates tax and (b) the climate change levy.

Paul Boateng: There are energy taxes in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden.
	There are aggregates taxes in Denmark, France and Sweden and the Netherlands is in the process of introducing a tax.

Disabled Person's Tax Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend the Disabled Person's Tax Credit to people who work less than 16 hours per week; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: There are no current plans to extend the Disabled Person's Tax Credit to people who work less than 16 hours per week.

Royal Prerogative

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative in the most recent calendar month for which information is available.

Ruth Kelly: Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised nor would it be practicable to do so.

European Court of Justice Judgments

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for (a) UK tax law and (b) Government revenue of the 9 October Judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C-108/99, Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise v. Cantor Fitzgerald International; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: No change in UK tax legislation is needed as a result of this judgment. Subject to the final decision of the UK courts, this European Court of Justice decision is expected to have prevented a potential tax loss.

Helpline

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress made towards the establishment of a virtual call centre structure to support the proposed national helpline for VAT, excise and freight.

Paul Boateng: HM Customs and Excise introduced a new National Advice Service on 2 April 2001 that deals with all general telephone inquiries from businesses and the public about taxes and duties they are responsible for.

Pension Fund Surpluses

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review legislation governing pension fund surpluses; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The pension fund surpluses legislation is kept under regular review and an announcement will be made if it is decided to change the current rules.

Savings

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what constraints will be placed upon parents' investment decisions on behalf of their children in respect of money made available through the Child Trust Fund;
	(2)  if people without bank accounts will be able to access the (a) Savings Gateway and (b) the Child Trust Fund, through the Universal bank;
	(3)  what plans he has to encourage saving among families on low incomes;
	(4)  what recent representations he has received from UK financial institutions on the Child Trust Fund; and of these how many have expressed concern about the implications of the fund for competition in the retail savings sector;
	(5)  what will be the estimated cost of policing the Child Trust Fund to ensure that funds are invested in ways permissible under the associated regulations;
	(6)  how many additional families he estimates will be subject to means-testing as a result of (a) the Child Trust Fund and (b) Savings Gateway;
	(7)  if lump sums made available as part of the Child Trust Fund will be increased annually in relation to (a) average earnings and (b) inflation;
	(8)  if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Child Trust Fund;
	(9)  what the cost will be to the Government of the (a) Child Trust Fund and (b) Savings Gateway in their first full year of operation.

Ruth Kelly: The Government's strategy towards saving and the measures they have taken, including the introduction of Individual Saving Accounts and Stakeholder Pensions, is set out in Helping People to Save, published by HM Treasury in November 2000.
	The Government launched consultation on further proposals to encourage saving and asset-building, especially among households with low incomes, in Saving and Assets for All published by HM Treasury in April 2001. The consultation is focused on proposals for the Child Trust Fund and the Saving Gateway. As the consultation paper describes, decisions on the design and operation of the proposed initiatives have not been taken. The potential cost of the initiatives would depend on such decisions. Many financial service providers have responded to the consultation. The Government intend to report back on the results from the consultation and on its further intentions for these initiatives around the time of the pre-Budget report in autumn 2001.

Taxpayers

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many UK taxpayers were subject to an income tax rate of 40 per cent. or more on the first day of tax years (a) 197980, (b) 199798 and (c) 200102.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to The Survey of Personal Incomes 197980, table 16 and Inland Revenue Statistics, table 2.1. Both of these publications are available in the Library of the House. The latest data on Inland Revenue Statistics can also be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

Tax Returns (Penalties)

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many incorrect penalties were issued to taxable persons who had completed and sent off tax returns on time for the tax years (a) 199697, (b) 199798, (c) 199899, (d) 19992000 and (e) 200001 by (i) the Inland Revenue and (ii) HM Customs and Excise.

Ruth Kelly: The information is not available.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Collins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the continuation of deferred tax collection from businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak in Cumbria.

Andrew Smith: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The Government keep all taxes under review and decisions will be made as part of the normal Budget process. Throughout the outbreak the Inland Revenue and Customs have been working constructively with businesses and their representatives to reschedule payments where possible. Deferment of payments is just one of the ways in which this can be achieved. Their approach has been to develop solutions that match the needs of individual businesses, rather than adopt a blanket approach.
	The Inland Revenue and Customs will continue to take a sympathetic approach to businesses which have been affected by FMD, and are aware that some businesses will continue to suffer problems throughout the autumn and winter.

VAT (Small Firms)

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisations have responded to HM Customs and Excise's consultation on a flat-rate VAT scheme for small firms.

Paul Boateng: Responses have been received from:
	Chartered Institute of Taxation
	Confederation of British Industry
	Federation of Small Businesses
	Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
	Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
	Institute of Company Accountants
	Institute of Directors
	Institute of Indirect Taxation
	Law Society of England and Wales
	Law Society of Scotland
	Small Business Service
	The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Birmingham, London, Manchester, and Milton Keynes and North Bucks
	VAT Practitioners' Group
	Alliance of Independence Retailers
	Association of Convenience Stores
	Association of Pensioner Trustees
	British Association of Removers
	British Decorator's Association
	British Holiday and Home Parks Association
	Construction Confederation
	National Federation of Fish Friers
	National Hairdressers' Federation
	Professional Contractors' Group
	Retail Motor Industry Federation.
	Replies were also received from 25 individuals, firms or companies.

VAT (Small Firms)

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the responses to HM Customs and Excise's consultations on a flat-rate VAT scheme for small firms.

Paul Boateng: Apart from those which consultees have asked should not be made public, responses will be placed in the Library when Ministers announce the outcome of the consultation. At that time Customs will also publish a summary of the responses received.

VAT (Small Firms)

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change Government policy following HM Customs and Excise's consultation on a flat-rate VAT scheme for small firms.

Paul Boateng: Customs are currently analysing responses to the recent consultation exercise and will be making recommendations to Treasury Ministers in due course.

Scottish Bus Group

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had since June relating to Scottish Bus Group pensioners.

Andrew Smith: The Scottish Executive is taking forward matters regarding the Scottish Bus Group pension funds, following its announcement in December 2000 on the pension fund surplus.

Excise Duties

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase excise duties.

Paul Boateng: Decisions on taxation are considered on an annual basis as part of the Chancellor's overall Budget judgment.

Equitable Life

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Baird report on Equitable Life was made available by the Treasury to Lord Penrose. [R]

Ruth Kelly: A letter was sent to Lord Penrose on 16 October which enclosed a copy of the report as evidence for his inquiry.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Sally Clark

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to refer the case of Sally Clark to the Court of Appeal.

Keith Bradley: The Home Secretary's powers to consider alleged miscarriages of justice came to an end on 31 March 1997, and were replaced by new powers vested in an independent body called the Criminal Cases Review Commission. I understand that, to date, Mrs. Clark has not submitted an application to the Commission. It remains open to her, or anyone acting on her behalf, to apply to the Commission for a review of her case.

Absence

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days on average were lost per employee in his Department because of sickness; and how many officials retired early from his Department in each of the past 10 years. [R]

David Blunkett: Available comparable information on working days lost due to sickness is given in table 1. Available information on the number of staff having retired early from the Department is given in Tables 2 and 3.
	Information on sickness absence data for the Civil Service between 1995 and 1998 was published in a British Medical Institute (BMI) Health Services Report, Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service, produced on behalf of the Cabinet Office. These figures were based on staff years and are not therefore comparable with later figures based on the approved method using working days.
	The Home Office and its agencies have introduced new guidelines, policies and procedures with a view to reducing sickness absence. The Department's service delivery targets for April 2001 to March 2004, which include a target for sickness absence, were published on Friday 3 November 2000 and are available on the Home Office website. The targets are to reduce sickness absence, and sustain this improvement thereafter in the:
	Home Office and its agencies (excluding the Prison Service) to an average of 6.9 days by end of March 2003.
	Prison Service to an average of 9.0 days per member of staff by 2004.
	
		Table 1: Average working days recorded as lost due to sickness in the Home Office 19992001
		
			 Area/year(27) 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Home Office and non-Prison Service agencies(28) 10 7.5 7.2 
			 Prison Service 12.6 13.4 13.9 
		
	
	(27) Data for Home Office and non-Prison Service agencies are given by financial year. Prison Service data are given by calendar year (to August). Comparable data for earlier years are not available.
	(28) United Kingdom Passport Agency, Forensic Science Service and Fire Service College.
	Note:
	Responsibility for the Fire Service College passed from the Home Office to DTLR in the 2001 machinery of Government changes.
	
		Table 2: Annual early retirements of staff within the Home Office and non-Prison Service agencies between -- 1 January 1992 and 20 September 2001
		
			 Leaving reason 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Retirementill health 36 61 77 82 97 69 59 41 33 9 
			 Retirementactuarially reduced 2 3 7 7 3 4 9 6 4 3 
			 Early Retirement/severance on structural grounds or grounds of limited efficiency/postability 7 29 48 36 72 25 22 24 13 17 
			 Compulsory early retirement/severance on redundancy/voluntary redundancy 75 48 57 30 33 60 3 3 2 2 
			  
			 Total 120 141 189 155 205 158 93 74 52 31 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Early retirements of staff within the Prison Service
		
			 Leaving reason 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Retirementill health 356 321 285 105 
			 Retirementapproved early 25 32 43 25 
			 Retirementactuarially reduced 11 6 8 4 
			 Retirementcompulsory early 11 13 12 6 
			  
			 Total 403 372 348 140

Special Advisers

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the special advisers in his Department and (a) their date of appointment and (b) their responsibilities; if any of them are authorised to speak to the media; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The number of special advisers working for me had been increased by 0.5 of a full-time post compared with the number working for me in the pre-election period. This, as with the arrangements between 1997 and 2001, reflects the particular circumstances of my position and also the extent of written work associated with my present post. Nick Pearce, Katharine Raymond and Sophie Linden (part-time) took up their appointments as special advisers on 8 June. Huw Evens took up his appointment on 2 July. As part of their duties they will brief the media as appropriate.
	With the transfer of the United Kingdom Anti-Drug Co-ordination Unit from the Cabinet Office, Keith Hellawell is joining the Home Office, on special adviser terms, in an advisory role on international drug issues.

Prisoners (Purposeful Activity)

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time per week spent by prisoners in purposeful activity in each category of prison.

Beverley Hughes: The average time per week spent by prisoners in purposeful activity in each category of prison between April and August 2001 is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Category Time spent in purposeful activity (hours) 
		
		
			 Category B 25.4 
			 Category C 26.4 
			 Female closed 27.3 
			 Female local 22.4 
			 Female open 35.6 
			 High Security 19.3 
			 Male closed Young Offenders Institute (YOI) 23.1 
			 Male juvenile 28.0 
			 Male local 19.6 
			 Male open 42.7 
			 Male open YOI 40.3 
			 Male remand centre 21.5 
		
	
	These data are provisional and subject to validation by establishments. Establishments are categorised by their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been placed in the category that represents the primary or predominant function of the prison.

Prisoners (Purposeful Activity)

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to consider the availability of appropriate training courses in allocating prisoners to particular institutions.

Beverley Hughes: Yes. The main factor which is considered in determining a prisoner's allocation is the security category of the prisoner. But allocation to a prison within that constraint will take account, among other things, of any need for identified offence-related behavioural programmes to confront assessed risk and the prisoner's educational or training needs or potential.

Coroners Court

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the workings and practices of coroners courts; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 19 October 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) on 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 250W. The chair and members of the review team were subsequently announced on 26 July.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will reply to the letter dated 14 September from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituents, Mr. and Mrs. G Chernov.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 19 October 2001
	I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying to his letters. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Department, Lord Rooker, has agreed to meet the hon. Member as requested in his correspondence and his office is currently arranging this.

Victim Support

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what help his Department makes available to victim support.

Keith Bradley: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The Home Office grant to the organisation Victim Support in the current financial year will be 25 million. This is over 6 million more than last year, and more than twice the grant paid in 1997. The extra money this year will enable Victim Support to complete the provision of witness support services in all magistrates courts and further enhance their service delivery to victims of crime.

Prisoner Rehabilitation

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has set HM prisons for the rehabilitation of offenders; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The targets set by the Home Secretary for the rehabilitation of offenders are contained in the Public Service Agreement (PSA) between the Chancellor and the Home Secretary, in a Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) between the Home Secretary and the Prison Service, and in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Prison Service.
	The PSA targets that relate to prisoner rehabilitation are:
	to reduce the rate of reconvictions:
	of all offenders punished by imprisonment or by community supervision by 5 per cent. by 2004 compared to the predicted rate; and
	of all young offenders by 5 per cent. by 2004 compared to the predicted rate;
	to reduce the levels of repeat offending among problem drug misusing offenders by 25 per cent. by 2005 (and by 50 per cent. by 2008).
	The targets contained in the SDA that relate to the rehabilitation of offenders are:
	to increase the educational and vocational qualifications of offenders to 23,400 accredited educational/vocational qualifications in 200102 and 36,200 in 200304, including an increase in the number of level 2 basic skill awards from 18,000 to 21,000;
	to increase the number of offenders going through accredited offending behaviour programmes to 8,900 by 200304, including 1,240 through sex offender treatment programmes;
	to double the number of prisoners getting jobs on release by April 2004;
	to reduce the rate of positive results from random drug tests from 20 per cent. in 199899 to 10 per cent. by 31 March 2004;
	to increase the number of prisoners entering treatment between 200102 and 200304 in the following categories:
	CARATS (Counselling, Assessment Referral, Advice and Throughcare, Services) from 20,000 to 25,000;
	detoxification-from 23,000 to 27,000;
	drug rehabilitation programmes and therapeutic communitiesfrom 5,000 to 5,700;
	to establish, by December 2000, a baseline and targets for the Spending Review period, for increasing the caseload of prisoners on a voluntary drug testing compact.
	The four current KPI targets that relate to prisoner rehabilitation are:
	to deliver 23,400 accredited educational or vocational qualifications in 200102, including 18,000 level 2 basic skills awards;
	to ensure that prisoners spend on average at least 24 hours per week engaged in purposeful activity;
	to deliver 6,100 accredited offending behaviour programme completions in 200102, including 1,160 completions of sex offender treatment programmes;
	to ensure the rate of positive results from random mandatory drug tests is lower than 12 per cent. by April 2002.

Special Constables

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in the West Midlands Police Force in (a) 1971, (b) 1981, (c) 1991 and (d) 2000, respectively; how many of these were from minority ethnic communities; and how many special constables were deployed in the Dudley North OCU in 2001.

John Denham: The number of serving special constables at force level have only been recorded centrally from 1991 onwards. Figures for the years prior to this are not available. The total number of special constables, including the numbers of those from minority ethnic communities in West Midlands Police for 1991 and 2000 are set out in the table.
	
		
			 Year Total number of special constables Special constables from minority ethnic backgrounds 
		
		
			 31 March 1991 843 115 
			 31 March 2000 680 75 
		
	
	I am informed by West Midlands Police that in 2001, there was an average of 34 serving special constables deployed in the Dudley North Operational Command Unit (OCU).
	The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and we are looking at radical improvements in their management, welfare and deployment as part of the police reform process.

Police Marksmen (Civilian Casualities)

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been shot by police in each of the last 10 years; how many (a) died and (b) were seriously injured; and how many of these were found not to have been carrying firearms at the time they were shot.

John Denham: Figures available are as follows:
	
		
			   Persons shot by police Died Injured(29) Unarmed(30) 
		
		
			 1991 5 3 2  
			 1992 11 3 8  
			 1993 5 3 2  
			 1994 6 2 4  
			 1995 5 2 3 2 
			 1996 4 2 2 2 
			 1997 1  1  
			 1998 5 2 3 2 
			 1999 7 3 4 1 
			 2000 6 2 4  
			 2001 2 2   
		
	
	(29) Includes all injuries
	(30) Excludes incidents where the person was subsequently found to be in possession of a replica or imitation firearm or in possession of other dangerous weapons (knives, air weapon etc.)

Departmental Staff

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate total annual staff costs for his Department and its agencies by nation and region of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: Information on Home Office staff cost estimates for 200102 (including the Prison Service Agency, the Passport and Records Agency and the Forensic Science Service) by nation and region of the United Kingdom is provided in the table shown.
	
		000 
		
			 Region Total 
		
		
			 Scotland 8,886 
			 North East 86,484 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 131,821 
			 North West 142,348 
			 Merseyside 28,672 
			 West Midlands 109,463 
			 East Midlands 104,497 
			 Eastern 110,802 
			 Wales 30,052 
			 Northern Ireland 2,177 
			 London 469,024 
			 South East 215,910 
			 South West 98,661 
			  
			 Total 1,538,797

Asylum Seekers

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number and proportion of asylum seekers to the UK who (a) are educated to (i) degree level, (ii) higher A-Level or equivalent level and (iii) Standard/GCSE or equivalent level, (b) are qualified as (i) doctors, (ii) nurses and (iii) teachers, and (c) have skills in high technology and IT related sectors; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information available is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case records and by consulting the asylum seekers themselves.

Departmental Spending

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the total annual running costs for buildings used, owned or rented by his Department for each nation and region of the UK, and estimate the average cost per sq m for properties used by his Department as a whole, and by region and nation of the UK.

David Blunkett: The estimated running costs and average running cost per sq m for the Home Office (non-prison) estate by region and nation of the United Kingdom are as follows:
	
		
			 Region Estimated running costs(31) (000) Estimated average running cost per sq m(32) () 
		
		
			 England   
			 North East 6,414 234 
			 North West 12,217 264 
			 Yorkshire 5,003 280 
			 East Midlands 6,385 376 
			 West Midlands 7,495 115 
			 East England 2,688 105 
			 London 45,227 257 
			 South East 38,537 220 
			 South West 352 156 
			  
			 England total 124,319 225 
			 Scotland 3,734 343 
			 Wales 2,366 123 
			 Northern Ireland 486 239 
			  
			 UK total 130,906 224 
		
	
	(31) Running Costs include the annual rental charge, rates, utility costs, cleaning, maintenance and security guarding
	(32) The floor area figures used are net internal area
	These figures do not include the Probation Estate, which became part of the Home Office estate on 1 April 2001. I will write to the hon. Member with these figures shortly.The figures for the Prison Service are collated by the 15 Prison Service Areas, 13 of which are regional. The other two areas are Female and High Security establishments.
	
		
			 Area(33) Estimated running costs(34) (000) Estimated average running cost per sq m(35) () 
		
		
			 East Midlands North 2,753 20 
			 West Midlands 3,293 14 
			 Manchester, Mersey and Cheshire 3,681 15 
			 North East 2,775 21 
			 Lancashire and Cumbria 3,996 21 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 4,677 16 
			 East Midlands South 3,280 20 
			 Thames Valley and Hampshire 5,356 26 
			 Eastern 4,758 20 
			 Kent, Surrey and Sussex 6,430 22 
			 London 3,847 21 
			 South West 7,743 28 
			 Female Prisons 4,088 23 
			 High Security Prisons 5,500 17 
			  
			 England total 52,589 20 
			
			 Wales 1,277 14 
			  
			 UK total 53,866 20 
		
	
	(33) The figures relate to the Operational Directorate of the Prison Service and cover prison establishments. The Prison Service headquarters figures are included in the main Home Office figures.
	(34) Running costs relate to rents, council tax, utilities and maintenance. Security guarding and cleaning are not identified separately on the Prison Service finance system. The figures do not include rates.
	(35) Figures for the floor area are gross.
	The difference in the running cost between the main Home Office and the Prison estates is due to the fact that most of the Prison Service estate is freehold, whereas most of the main Home Office estate is leasehold. Rent accounts for the major running cost expenditure in the figures for the main Home Office estate.

Crown Court Trials

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of (a) either-way cases and (b) all cases heard in magistrates courts were sent to Crown court for sentencing in each of the last three years.

Keith Bradley: The available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, is shown in the table.
	
		Numbers and percentages of defendants committed to the Crown Court for sentence by offence typeEngland and Wales 1999
		
			  Triable either way All offences 
		
		
			 Number of defendants proceeded against 479,917 1,881,765 
			
			 Number of defendants committed to the Crown Court for sentence 19,324 20,417 
			
			 Percentage of defendants proceeded against who are committed to the Crown Court for sentence 4 1

Crown Court Trials

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those who elected for trial in Crown court in either-way cases, including those found not guilty, had previous convictions.

Keith Bradley: Data from a sample of offenders sentenced during four weeks in 1999 show that 68 per cent. of those found guilty for a standard list offence at the Crown court had one or more previous convictions for a standard list offence. No data are available on whether those acquitted had previous convictions.

Refurbishment Projects

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) the current year and (ii) the next financial year; and what the costs will be of each project.

David Blunkett: The Department does not maintain central records of every building and refurbishment project. The following table lists currently planned Home Office, including Prison Service capital construction projects (individual projects estimated to cost over 2 million) split between private finance initiative (PFI) and non-PFI which covers the projects on-site or expected to be on-site in 200102 and 200203. The figures given are total costs, previous expenditure, and estimated expenditure in the current year and future years. The Department is not directly responsible for the construction costs of PFI projects and these costs have not been shown. Projects for non-departmental public bodies are not included.
	
		
			  Project 000 at 200102 prices Total anticipated Comments (figures include for fees,  
			 Projects costing over 2 million FY 200102 FY 200203 Future years expenditure VAT and contingencies 
		
		
			 Collection Summary:  
			 Prison Service (capital) 27,714 77,978 60,993 166,685  
			 Immigration Service 136,000 3,100 0 139,100  
			 National Police Training 13,300 15,332 20,000 48,632  
			 United Kingdom Passport Agency 85Planned expenditure not yet known 
			   
			 Total anticipated expenditure 177,099 96,410 80,993 354,417  
			   
			 PFI Projects:  
			 Home Office Marsham Street PFI contract not yet signed 
			 Ashford Prison PFI contract not yet signed 
			 Peterborough Prison PFI contract not yet signed 
			  
			 Home Office Prison Service   
			 Aylesbury 2,131 2,182 2,581 6,894  
			 Birmingham 800 1,711 64 2,575  
			 Brockhill/Hewell G 352 2,475 56 2,883  
			 Buckley Hall 0 2,000 0 2,000  
			 Camp Hill 1,357 2,485 521 4,363  
			 Cardiff 0 1,744 365 2,109  
			 Dorchester 498 1,932 62 2,492  
			 Downview 3,000 7,000 0 10,000  
			 Drake Hall 0 2,000 500 2,500  
			 Durham 2,728 1,928 4,773 0  
			 Durham 0 2,032 7,634 9,666  
			 Eastwood Park 0 2,600 300 2,900  
			 Everthorpe 210 2,052 55 2,317  
			 Feltham 0 700 2,000 2,700  
			 Feltham 0 1,300 1,300 2,600  
			 Gartree 2,352 2,594 8,359 0  
			 Gartree 0 0 2,225 2,225  
			 Hull 2,124 11,008 336 13,468  
			 Kirkham 200 3,567 60 3,827  
			 Leeds 500 2,223 300 3,023  
			 Lincoln 0 1,909 2,178 4,087  
			 Long Lartin 520 2,089 2,744 5,353  
			 National Programme 8,775 225 0 9,000  
			 Onley 92 1,391 4,257 5,740  
			 Pentonville 0 3,000 7,000 10,000  
			 Portland 0 2,750 7,888 10,638  
			 Preston 0 3,540 2,831 6,371  
			 Wakefield 0 5,015 1,808 6,823  
			 Wakesfield   7,500 7,500  
			 Wandsworth 1,771 2,917 116 4,804  
			 Wandsworth  1,500 1,500 3,000  
			 Wealstun  5,060 1,320 6,380  
			 Winchester 304 1,609 680 2,593  
			 Winchester  1,088 1,148 2,236  
			 Ashford (PFI) Contract not yet signed 
			 Peterborough (PFI) Contract not yet signed 
			   
			 Prison Service total 27,714 77,978 60,993 143,951  
			   
			 Immigration Service(36)  
			 Immigration Service 136,000 3,100 0 139,100  
			   
			 Immigration Services total 136,000 3,100 0 139,100  
			   
			  National Police Training   
			 Redevelopment Harrogate 1,000 15,000 20,000 36,000  
			 Cmbran 3,350 91  3,441  
			 Ryton 8,950 241  9,191  
			   
			 National Police Training Total 13,300 15,332 20,000 48,632  
			   
			 Home Office  
			 Marsham Street PFI Contract not signed 
			   
			 United Kingdom Passport Agency  
			 Relocation 85Future expenditure not yet known 
			   
			 United Kingdom Passport Agency 85 0 0 0  
		
	
	(36) Information on the capital costs of individual projects is not divulged as it is commercially sensitive. The table sets out the total contractually committed expenditure for projects let by this office and relates to the Yarl's Wood, Harmondsworth, Dungavel and Oakington projects. (On both Harmondsworth and Yarl's Wood, there was significant expenditure during 200001 which is included in the figure shown in the 200102 column).